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Shoddy apartments, cheap food, causing chaos, and suspicious excuses.
That was the life 007n7 lived these days in his cheap, held-together-by-duct-tape apartment- a space he shared with a curious Robloxian who happened to share his affinity for mayhem.
Noli.
Noli, all things considered, was pretty cool. They were laid-back and made boring things far more interesting.
The two had met in college. After they met, they had both become inseparable. They had also become wanted by the law... but those were unnecessary details. Yes, impossible to forget, but still unnecessary.
Want to know what 007n7 thought was necessary?
Answers.
Specifically, answers about Noli's odd behavior.
It wasn't as if 007n7 minded the oddness. It didn't bother him, not really, but it still caught his attention repeatedly, and Noli dodged anything to do with the topic like it had their mom held at gunpoint and the trigger would pull if they dared elaborate. Which was fine! Noli was allowed to have secrets! 007n7 was just... curious!
It was especially odd with their situation.
The two were close. Like, horribly close, and 007n7 was sure an outsider would think they're dating, even if neither of them had gone on a date (beyond the joking ones that were done for shits and giggles) or even shared a single kiss. They lived together with their beds in the same room- mostly out of necessity, though- and oftentimes were forgetting about the entire 'personal space' thing. Actually, one of the beds usually went unused, mostly just used to fold clothes on and things they still had yet to put away...
...then there was how they often forgot to do laundry until the last second, and wound up both sitting in some boxers and maybe some torn or too-small shirts and/or shorts as the laundry went, and neither of them really cared about the fact.
They got cheap food, sometimes cooked something resembling a proper meal together, and played games on the ratty couch, and 007n7 often found himself damn-near cuddling Noli when they were hanging around.
Plus, the heater sometimes decided to go fuck-it when it was too cold. So what if they wound up crowding together underneath some blankets? Snuggling was funnily successful at keeping two idiots warm during the winter.
It was chill.
They knew practically everything about each other.
So why was Noli skirting around the topic of their behaviors?
The first thing hadn't been anything new. Just something 007n7 noticed on a whim, and then from there he could not miss.
Noli... slept weirdly.
007n7 understood it. Really! He did! He could be a bit of a night owl himself, but Noli was rarely awake during the time between morning and midday. He usually stayed inside until late afternoon, too, and 007n7 wasn't sure why, and he often caught Noli's 'sleep' being more akin to multiple bursts of naps.
Noli would wake up, practically spawn somewhere around the house to see whatever 007n7 was doing, and then vanish back to the comfort of their bed. They were never awake for more than ten minutes and the naps could last anywhere from two minutes to a full hour.
But it was fine.
007n7 didn't mind starting the day a bit later, and staying up further into the night, but it was still intriguing, and so no answer came.
Second odd thing: the dark.
Specifically, Noli in the dark.
It had nearly slipped 007n7's notice. Really, he was kinda confused on how he missed it, but missed it he had.
007n7 had wandered around plenty of times in the dark. Each time, he would up smacking his leg into something and would have to turn on the light or slow down majorly so that he wouldn't smack his limbs into another obstacle.
Noli?
Noli hadn't run into a single thing once. The guy navigated effortlessly as if the lights were on even if it was too dark to see a single thing.
But that was fine. Maybe Noli just remembered room layouts really well? Or 007n7 just couldn't see that well, period?
007n7 wasn't sure. Noli avoided the topic religiously. No answers came.
Third was Noli's disappearances.
It hadn't been something that had escaped 007n7's notice, but it hadn't been anything he wondered about until later on.
Noli hadn't wanted to explain. They wouldn't even tell him where he was going, much less if they were leaving or when they'd come back.
Despite the gnawing curiosity, 007n7 hadn't pried.
...no answers came. Again.
The curiosity gnawed.
007n7 couldn't help but stare.
It was what he was doing right now.
Noli was folding laundry across the room and 007n7 was left to lay on the bed they actually slept in. Their hands moved methodically, and their back was to 007n7, but he still watched them as he idly fiddled with his hack client.
c00lgui, however, remained mostly forgotten.
007n7's attention was primarily on the mysterious hacker across the room.
Noli was currently dressed comfortably. They had on some band T-shirt for a group neither of them listened to and sweatpants with grass stains on the knees. (A story that was downright comedic, actually, involving signal jammers and fence climbing, but that was for another time...) Their mask remained off, forgotten, resting beside 007n7, and there was an air of familiarity as Noli hummed a random tune that 007n7 could not remember.
Beyond the rustle of fabric and the gentle humming, it was silent.
...Noli had come back around half an hour ago, at eleven-something at night, and now it was nearly midnight.
They had not explained where they were and 007n7 had not asked.
At least not yet.
"Hey, Noli."
The hands had paused. Their head turned, eyes curious as they perked up, and they grinned sideways at their roommate. "What's up?"
007n7 watched for a brief moment and Noli watched him in turn. "Where..." The words fought for a moment. Noli's grin didn't waver, and they even turned towards him further, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Am I crazy, or...? The question remained unsaid as 007n7's gaze trailed over the sharp points. The gaze lingered on dark lips as Noli's grin closed. "Can you come here a second, actually?"
The hesitation was heavy.
But Noli shrugged regardless, walking over with an air of calm, and 007n7 pushed himself up properly as the hacker approached. They even leaned closer with a snicker.
"What? Am I getting my kiss after all this time?"
007n7 didn't linger on the dig. It was a common one, born of some late-night joke over drinks and reality TV, and it was a mostly forgotten story. Instead, he reached out.
Noli had paused the moment the hand brushed over their cheek.
"Sev'-" Noli sputtered. Their eyes were thin, hands raised barely, but they didn't dare push or grab. "What are...?"
The words teetered off as 007n7 perked up. "Woah." He breathed, leaning closer, and Noli didn't move even half a muscle. "Wait, wait, let me see your teeth for a second? They look sharp as hell."
Noli blinked at him.
007n7 grinned in turn.
There was an unease, there, 007n7 could see it, but he didn't push. He let Noli mull over the request. He let Noli carefully set a hand on his wrist, fingers gently curling. Suspicion was what 007n7 was- unsurprisingly- met with. "Are you sure you're not gonna..." They worked over the words for a moment and 007n7 tilted his head to see if it had only been a trick of the light. "...freak out on me?"
007n7 couldn't help but laugh.
Noli deflated at that, even if just slightly. It had 007n7 hurrying to reassure his friend. "No, no, 'course not! Promise. No freaking out here."
The gaze seemed unsure but calmer. They seemed a little less worried when 007n7 gave what he hoped was a charming smile.
"Pff, you look ridiculous, quit looking like that." Noli pulled 007n7's hands away and he faked offense. The 'how-dare-you' immediately died when Noli spoke. "But alright. Just remember, you- you can't tell anyone. It's our secret."
007n7 couldn't deny the curiosity. The faint intrigue, the excitement, especially as Noli warily opened their mouth.
How hadn't he realized?
He figured he just usually didn't stare at Noli's mouth, especially not their teeth. The usual mask probably helped too.
007n7 couldn't help but reached out and hold their jaw gingerly.
"It's like some sort of shark!" 007n7 laughed, thumb shifting to tap at one of the sharper points, and he whistled as he pulled back. "Wild, man. Never thought teeth could be badass." He still grinned when Noli closed their mouth. He kept speaking when the uncertainty remained in their eyes. "Like, yeah, kinda spooky, little freaky. Kinda unnerving or whatever. But it's just teeth. Chill."
"Teeth sharp enough to make someone bleed."
"Bah, details."
Noli's mouth curved into a smile. They even leaned faintly into his hand. Just barely, mostly easy-to-miss, but 007n7 held the added pressure. The silence lasted for a little while and Noli was the one to break it. "They're not like shark teeth. More like a canine, if I was to compare it to anything..."
007n7 couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Nerd."
Noli offered a sharp-toothed grin instead.
It was late.
It had been a mistake.
007n7 wasn't supposed to know, but carelessness had been cruel, and now they were sure it was only a matter of time.
Noli had fucked up. They had fucked up bad. It was meant to be a simple thing, late into the night and yet somehow still considered early in the mornings, and how was Noli to know? There was no way to know they'd be ready.
That they'd be violent, when dragged into the dark, and they would be capable of fighting off toxins long enough so that Noli could not wrangle them down.
Fleeing home had been foolish.
They should have simply tried to find someone else.
Instead, they were hurt, and hungry, and 007n7 had been awake when they snuck into the shared space, and how could they turn away and act as if nothing happened?
007n7 was gently holding something cold to their eye. They weren't sure what it was exactly, but they didn't fight, as why would he do them wrong? 007n7 was a good thing. He was right, good, even if he was a criminal like them, but he was normal.
He did not hide in the shadows and feed on blood.
Speaking of blood- it was warm against shoddy bandaging. The stuff that they could've lapped up to satisfy until the next chance had been cleaned away gently.
Noli cursed that damned Robloxian who had stuck a switchblade in their side.
Cursed them, because that's why 007n7 would most definitely pry, and Noli could not lie to him nor would he let them escape the questions now.
Noli settled for trying to enjoy what may be the last peace they could be permitted to experience.
007n7 would surely leave. He'd freak, and vanish, leaving Noli so painfully alone... and wasn't it as they deserved? For never answering the concerns? For lying to his face? For wasting his time? For basking in the attention and affection they never deserved?
The teeth was one thing. It could be explained away, just an odd thing, and that was not a lie... technically.
But Noli wasn't sure what half-truth would explain this.
It was a bitter fact.
It was only made better by the crease between 007n7's eyebrows, and how concern circled in his pretty eyes, and the frown that threatened to drag at his teeth and get rid of the reassuring smile. 007n7 had always been pretty. He'd been pretty, and funny, and cool, and nice, and Noli couldn't even list all the things that made them want to ruin the casual act.
Right now, he was wearing stupid, bright pink pajama pants with green-and-blue cats. It was fuzzy and soft to the touch. He had a stolen shirt that had belonged to Noli at one point (likely back in college) and the design on the front was worn away from wear. He didn't have his burger hat on. His hair was messy. He didn't have the fake horns and tail from the c00lgui. The worry looked cute but mostly distressing.
"Wanna tell me what happened?"
There it was.
The decisive question, and despite always worrying about this- Noli had not prepared for it to actually be asked. They never had. They never knew what they'd say if 007n7 wanted to know.
The words failed.
Noli only leaned forward, head resting against their friend's chest.
Fingers quietly combed through their hair and for a moment they wanted to lie. To spin fake worlds, to lie through sharpened teeth that still tasted faintly of blood, but they dare not even open their mouth.
007n7 didn't pry.
Really, he never did, it was one of the things that made him so good. He asked his questions but didn't needle Noli for the answers. He stayed even when Noli did dumb things.
It would be wrong for Noli to ask him to stay after this.
Unfair, too, and Noli didn't want to do that to the one person who didn't seem to desire to leave.
Noli was selfish for this.
007n7 didn't seem to hate them for it.
Instead, that gentle hand guided Noli to turn their head, just so the cold compress could gingerly rest over their eye, and it was a nice gesture. It was far more than Noli deserved. They forced the other one open so they could watch the man.
They were not surprised to see 007n7 watching them, the gentle smile lost in a quiet frown, and they watched the pretty eyes and the furrow of his brow. They enjoyed the expression they didn't deserve. It wasn't wrong for that person to attack. Frankly, if Noli was like them and in that situation, they'd fight back too. It wasn't anything wrong.
"Noli?"
It was gentle. Too gentle, too sweet. It made Noli's chest tighten. If it had been anything they could eat, they would surely have cavities from it.
"I'm sorry," Noli mumbled. They weren't even fully certain what they were sorry for but they were. They really, really were. "I'm worrying you for something that's my own fault."
007n7 pressed his lips into a thin line and Noli wanted him, so desperately, to just lean down. To brush the selfish creature's forehead with the lightest of kisses.
Noli didn't explain.
007n7 didn't ask them to.
"It's not your fault. Let's just go to bed."
A silent agreement to never talk about it. Noli, selfishly, was glad for it.
Noli knew 007n7 was watching them closer. They could feel it in his gaze, ever since the night they came home, and part of them wanted to be upset about it. Upset with the worry. 007n7 didn't push, didn't pry, but they knew he was worried whenever they were gone, and they didn't want him to follow.
They didn't want him to see.
Noli's stomach was full of wasteful food.
They were not starving.
No, no, this did not feel like starving, but it was horrible regardless and they hated how they still hungered without the feeling of something empty. It was worse than feeling empty. They wanted to throw up.
(Something that had, unfortunately, happened a couple times, but 007n7 had- hesitantly- gone along with the idea of Noli just having eaten something that didn't agree with them.)
(It was the only mercy.)
But Noli couldn't do anything but lay, awake and aware, their arm trapped beneath their roommate.
It was late.
Again, always, it was late.
The clock's time was unimportant- all that Noli knew was that they were hungry.
But they couldn't move.
Not with 007n7 like this.
He was comfortable, uncharacteristically curled up, and one of their arms was stuck beneath him. Furthermore- a hand was gently laying on top of their own.
Noli had attempted to remove themself not long ago.
007n7 had begun to stir, and only fell back into a proper sleep when Noli had gently returned their hand to his grasp.
If not for the discomfort of hunger, the moment would have been nice.
The heater was busted this time. The blankets were nice, but Noli knew the chill still remained, and they knew that cold was kept away more easily with the proximity.
Noli figured that even if they did escape...
...well, 007n7 would wake up regardless, just later, and he'd be worried when he found them missing.
Noli held him close instead.
He was warm. Comfortably warm, and close, and it was nice. It was so very nice. It made it easier to pretend this wasn't some complicated web of not-labels and unspoken feelings. Few things could make this better.
Noli merely pulled the man impossibly closer, gaze lingering on the wall behind him, and they wondered when they'd have a chance.
Hunger was cruel.
It made Noli want to leave anyway.
To vanish, to disappear, and they squeezed him before they were deciding to move.
007n7 shifted. Noli stilled. 007n7 settled. Noli moved.
Their arm was free, after about a minute of this process, and Noli was soon moving again. They were peeling the blankets away from themself and tucking them closer around their friend.
He would shift, they would go still, he would settle, they would move.
It felt like an eternity before Noli's feet were on the ground.
They stood there, for a moment, but 007n7 didn't stir yet. Not yet. The clock was ticking and he'd stir eventually but maybe they could get back before he woke up.
It was a wild dream.
Noli stepped back.
Their coat was always on the back of an old chair, and their mask on the bedside table, and both came on easy, and Noli told themself it'd be quick. This wouldn't take long. It'd be easy. It'd be enough.
How many days had it been? Too many, they decided. Far too many. The hunger was a gnawing presence that ached. The food they had been eating wasn't worthwhile. It wasn't enough, wasn't satisfactory, and Noli knew they needed to drink.
They needed to.
They barely made it out of the bedroom door before they heard creaking.
It was like a pit had opened in Noli's stomach.
They stilled, hoping, praying, but the dread filled the empty space when a mumbled voice filled the room.
"Noli?"
Noli looked over their shoulder.
007n7 was looking at them through bleary eyes.
Noli forced themself to breathe, to smile behind the mask, and they prayed it was too dark for 007n7 to see their cloak and that same mask.
The prayers went unanswered when 007n7 frowned and proved useless when 007n7 spoke. "Where are you going?" He was sitting up, now, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and Noli's fingers curled into fists. Because of course.
Of course, 007n7 had to wake up, and now he'd worry, and Noli was sure they'd still be hungry.
"Out."
007n7 was frowning.
Noli forced themself to not look.
"I'll be back," Noli assured. "Won't get beat up this time. Just go back to sleep."
"It's cold outside."
He was right. It was cold, and Noli realized- so painfully- that the odds of someone being out were low. So, so painfully low. And 007n7 must've known something was wrong, because he was rolling out of bed, his arms stretching high above his head as he approached, and Noli didn't flee or move.
They let 007n7 approach.
"C'mere." 007n7 was sighing, quietly, arms now outreaching, and Noli stared like a fool. They did not have to stare for long before he was being pulled gently into the hold. "If I let you leave, do you promise you won't be in danger?"
Noli couldn't promise. Couldn't, because prey often tried to fight back, and sometimes it got away or caused damage, and they wouldn't lie. They could only rest their head on his shoulder and quietly shake that head to say 'no.'
007n7's arms tightened subtly.
Noli wanted to melt into the touch.
Really, they did, it would've been great, but they didn't deserve to enjoy the affection.
"Wanna talk about it?"
They didn't respond.
007n7's hand smoothed over their back. It was a comforting motion, felt nice too, and Noli was thankful for the mask and fabric that separated teeth from skin. It was the only definitely good thing.
It didn't stop them from baring those teeth.
Their jaw felt tight, and they could feel the warmth of life right there, and their stomach was like it was coiled in knots.
They were so glad there was something separating them from 007n7's skin.
Guilt rose when 007n7 carefully pulled down the hood, hands finding the strap of the mask, and Noli only pulled away when they noticed the motion. Pulled away so he could not see their eyes, they teeth, and he watched them with an unfair worry. It wasn't fair at all. It was driving them mad.
"Seven."
He was watching them and the words refused to work.
They were caught, stuck somewhere behind their teeth, and they weren't even sure what they wanted to say.
What could they say? The truth? A dangerous, dangerous truth, that would surely end with 007n7's hatred and distaste? One that would get Noli killed? One that would make 007n7 maybe understand? One that would lay the burden of a secret on his shoulders, too?
It wasn't fair to him.
It was selfish of Noli to even want.
"I-" Again, the words got stuck. Noli cursed themself for it and swallowed thickly. At least 007n7 was quiet. Was watching, was waiting, and Noli wanted to think that it meant he wouldn't hate them for it. It was the only thought they could sink their teeth into. "I have something to tell you. But it's a secret. More of a secret than the teeth thing. Okay?"
That memory was a comfort. 007n7 hadn't been driven away, instead captivated by the sharpened points, and Noli often caught him curiously staring. It had been reassuring how he thought it was cool.
"Okay."
007n7 was watching them still.
Now, though, it was more of a promise than any sign of worry, a promise to be quiet and not to tell.
Noli forced themself not to think much more.
They did that, because if they thought too much, they'd chicken out. They'd back out and they feared that 007n7 would let them. "I can't- I'm just..." The words warred. Noli forced them out. "...not like you." They could see the patience, the subtle curiosity, the quiet worries, the promises... and Noli lingered on the promise more than anything. "I'm not human."
007n7 was still watching. The confusion was furthering, growing, and Noli forced themself to just keep speaking.
"I never was human. I know I should've probably told you, and it wasn't fair for me to hide it, and all of that, and I get it." Noli gritted their teeth. The words didn't want to exist, didn't want to be heard, and if not for the silence then the whisper would've been left unheard. "Seven, I..."
The words didn't want to. They really, really didn't want to.
Noli said it anyway.
"...I'm a vampire."
All things considered, 007n7 took it well.
It was surreal.
Noli wasn't sure what Gods they had managed to please. Wasn't sure which of the few people they had been nice to had secretly been an angel. Wasn't sure how they could even deserve this.
They decided not to wonder too much.
They took the blessing.
In fact, according to 007n7, it was suddenly explaining everything he had wondered. Noli's sleep schedule, their navigation in the dark, their disappearances... and he didn't hate them for it.
Didn't want them to go.
It was a blessing.
Noli let it be a blessing.
However, they had to admit, it was a tad amusing. 007n7 had- after the initial shock, which included him trying to play it off, and then him being skeptical, before he was admitting it made sense and was genuinely considering it to be truth, and finally accepting- been full of questions.
Questions which consisted of "no, garlic isn't poisonous to vampires," "holy water doesn't do anything special," "obviously I can go out in the sun," and just busting general myths. No, Noli couldn't turn someone into a vampire with a single bite and they couldn't do any superhuman feats in strength or speed. No, Noli didn't prefer to sleep in a coffin. Yes, Noli used to hang upside down when they were little, but that was because they liked the feeling of the blood rushing to their head for some reason. Yes, Noli could be killed by means other than a stake to a heart. No, Noli was not immortal or secretly a thousand years old or something else like that. Yes, Noli could eat other foods, but it wasn't worth it. No, Noli doesn't drink from people's necks.
007n7 had mentioned how Noli was a pretty lame vampire. He made it up by saying the full set of sharp teeth was way cooler than two cliche fangs, though, so Noli considered that a win.
There was also a conversation that consisted of 007n7 making Noli promise to be safe, and please don't get arrested.
Noli got to go out again. 007n7 just asked them to tell him when they were leaving, something they were fine with, and to stay in contact if able. And one time to pick up milk before they come back. Noli had to remind 007n7 that most places were closed, that time. (They went to get milk at dawn later, right when the store opened. 007n7 was pleased.)
007n7 had also asked about the lack of red eyes. Noli had made a point to demonstrate that their eyes were still weird, though.
...it consisted of being compared to a cat.
(Research and various videos and pictures proved that fact. Noli had to admit, the way their eyes dilated and the reflection thing was eerily similar.)
On that note- 007n7's questions.
It was fairly early right now. At least, for Noli's usual schedule. It was only like... what, nine in the morning? Around there. Noli wasn't sure. They were only vaguely aware of 007n7 hanging out next to them, but he seemed plenty aware of them being half-awake, because he was looking at them curiously. It made Noli force their eyes further open out of their own curiosity.
"Morning, Maleficent," 007n7 mused. "You're up early."
It was in jest- Noli could hear it in his voice and see it in the way his lips curved up into a tiny smirk- but they were still a tad confused. "Were you waiting for me?" They didn't want to get up, just yet, and they were encouraged to stay tucked beneath the blankets by a hand ruffling through their hair.
"A little."
Noli eyed 007n7 suspiciously. He didn't look that sheepish.
007n7 grinned, leaning back. The epitome of casual. "I got another question."
"As long as I get to go back to sleep afterwards... shoot."
007n7 seemed satisfied. Noli settled for closing their eyes, rolling over onto their back as they prepared to hear some other silly Robloxian myth about vampires.
"Does it hurt?"
Noli paused.
007n7 must've caught onto their confusion, because he was rushing to continue, "the bite- you know? Like, getting bit. Do you know if it hurts? I just..." Noli cracked an eye open. 007n7 was watching them. He looked a bit sheepish, now, but they could see the curiosity circling in his eyes. "...I figured it would, right? Since it can't be nice being bit, especially to the point you bleed."
Noli couldn't help but grin.
"A little." Noli drawled, lifting a hand to wave dismissively, and they could feel the eyes glued to their every move. The attention focused on every word. "Our saliva or something has this numbing effect, even sort of works like a sedative? Helps stop it from clotting too fast too. They don't fight much once it kicks in and don't remember much afterwards... kind of like a bad dream. Don't want prey to get away, fight back, or be able to spill the beans. I don't know the details on how it works. We're not really asking people how it feels but some vampires were turned, not born, so they got the experience, but not all of them have gotten bit."
007n7 was looking at them. Questions were there.
Noli hurried to add, "but it's not a good process to be turned, I really wouldn't recommend it." 007n7's brows furrowed and he looked away, thinking, and Noli decided to go ahead and answer the questions they knew were right there. "It's kind of complicated. And painful. They get really sick, can't feed right, sort of rely on another vampire to give them blood until their new teeth come in. It's basically rewriting their biology and it's just not worth it in the end."
"...okay."
Noli squinted at 007n7. He was staring off at nothing, gaze distant, and they pushed themself up into a sitting position. "Sev', I don't want you to go through that." They nudged him and he was soon looking towards him. "I mean, if that's what you're considering. It's not worthwhile. You basically can't eat most things for the rest of your life and gotta watch your back the whole time."
"Can I try it?"
"What?"
007n7 was grinning. Curiosity was underlining each word, each movement, and they watched him stilled confusion. "Getting bitten," he explained. "You said it doesn't really hurt. And I'm curious. Plus, you said you don't really know how it works, probably don't know how it feels either, so..."
He was trailing off purposely and Noli frowned faintly. "...so, you want me to bite you, so that you can tell me how it feels?"
"Exactly."
Noli wasn't convinced they should.
007n7 seemed convinced this was a good idea.
"Listen, man, I trust you!" 007n7 added, even if that was the least of Noli's worries right now. "What's there to worry about? It's not like you'll turn me into a vampire. You said it ain't the bite that does it."
Which... was accurate.
But at the same time, there was a whisper in Noli's mind. Fretting. Worrying. What if 007n7 got spooked by the sedative? Or what if it made him realize Noli was dangerous and he left? Or what if Noli couldn't stop?
It wasn't like Noli was some mindless blood-sucking, killing machine. The media liked to portray vampires as such, and it wasn't real, but what if? What if Noli couldn't stop for some reason? Or what if they took too much for some reason? Or-
"Chill, man. You don't have to. But I'm curious- so if you do want to, you can. Promise."
Noli watched 007n7.
They were wary, watching him carefully, and he smiled gently in turn.
"Okay." 007n7 lit up immediately at Noli's agreement, but they continued boldly. "But if you get scared, or worried, you have to tell me. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it," he nodded along. "Tell you to stop if I need to. Of course. I got it."
Noli smiled briefly at 007n7. 007n7 smiled in turn.
"Give me your hand."
007n7 was moving his arm, offering out the limb without much convincing.
It was reassuring.
It also made Noli doubt if 007n7 knew how dangerous they could be.
Noli had set them up on the floor. It seemed best that way- 007n7 couldn't fall off anything from the floor.
There were alcohol wipes at the ready, and bandages, and Noli had asked if 007n7 was sure probably about a million times, and 007n7 had helped draw all the curtains shut and make sure the door was locked.
Then Noli had spent another couple minutes double-checking.
No harm. Noli certainly wasn't stalling, no...
...they were only stalling a little.
But now the time had run out, and Noli couldn't find anything to use to avoid it much longer. (Not that they couldn't just put their foot down! They knew 007n7 would let them just forget about this entire thing if they asked.)
They could back out at any time.
007n7 could too.
It was fine.
Noli's hands carefully cradled the man's arm, pulling it closer, and they didn't dare breathe as they parted their teeth.
Skin dipped beneath pressure.
The first droplet of blood spilled.
007n7 sucked in a breath and Noli sank their teeth in, glancing up briefly, but the discomfort was just the barest crease between brows, so Noli let the pressure ease.
It was... sweet.
Noli couldn't help but give a pleased hum, idly thumbing at 007n7's wrist as they drank the offering. His blood was faintly sweet. The tang metal was there, familiar and nice, and they pulled back once the tension seemed to trail away.
"Wild."
Noli grinned slightly and glanced at 007n7. "I usually drink from the arms anyway. Necks bleed too much." They wiped a thumb over the punctures, bringing it up to lap at the digit. "It'll heal pretty fast, though... I don't know how or why. As long as you don't bite too deep, it won't even scar."
007n7 was watching them.
They tried to lighten the mood with a careful smile, but he only blinked a couple times, so they let the smile fall.
"You've got a little on your lip."
Oh.
Noli couldn't help but fluster at the note, turning their head away and wiping their hand across their mouth.
007n7 chuckled faintly.
(Likely at them.)
It wasn't the worst fate.
Noli turned their attention back to the wound. It was still bleeding. They made sure to pull it closer again. It was half to keep it from making a mess, and half out of some selfish want to drink. There was no reason to waste it anyway.
"How does it feel?"
"Huh?"
Noli scrunched their face up, gaze shifting, and 007n7 was staring at them with confusion. "The bite." They snorted. "How does it feel?"
"Oh..." the man blinked, slowly. He gave a thumbs up with his free hand. "Fine. Can't really... feel it right now. Sorta tingles." He was leaning slightly. Noli went ahead and pulled him closer, letting him recline back against their front, and he stared at them for a couple seconds. "...hey."
Noli smiled. "Hey."
007n7 looked down at his arm. Noli was still holding it, but he didn't seem to mind. They figured it would be a good idea to start patching him up.
He didn't seem to mind when they grabbed the little packet of wipes. Didn't seem to mind much, either, when they carefully wiped it over the wound, and they looked at him curiously. "It doesn't sting?" They asked. 007n7 only shook his head faintly and Noli noted that down for later. "Well, that's good."
It was mostly silent after that.
007n7 didn't seem to be very insistent on moving. He just sorta let Noli move him as needed, letting them dress the wound without much problem. Letting them run their fingers through his hair. Letting them fidget with a loose thread on his shirt. Letting them hold him closely.
It was... nice.
Really nice.
Noli was still watching 007n7, of course, gaze searching for anything wrong, but the man seemed horribly at ease.
He seemed especially at ease when he grinned crookedly up at them. "Dude... isn't it sorta funny?" He snickered. "Like, people probably would think we're dating, if they saw us right about now."
Noli's face felt hot.
"Since, like, we wear each other's clothes all the time. And cuddle. And the entire kiss joke."
"It is funny," Noli agreed quietly. It kinda hurt. They didn't dwell on it. "But we're just two guys. Hanging out. Doesn't have to be anything more."
They fell into silence again.
Noli wanted to be upset.
The lingering taste of blood on their tongue was suddenly less welcome, but they didn't show it. Didn't say it. They just let 007n7 sit there. With his pretty eyes all unfocused, and his hair all messed up, and his everything. 007n7 was great. It wasn't fair.
"Hey."
"Yeah, Seven?"
"You're pretty cool, even without all the... really crazy myth stuff. And you're really fun to be around. I like causing chaos with you."
Noli didn't let themself reply. 007n7 didn't seem to notice, or care, or even mind, or whatever else, because he kept on talking.
"And you're... like... kinda handsome. Is that weird to say? My best friend is handsome. Wild."
The warmth was returning to their cheeks, and they glanced away, but 007n7 was moving and they had to turn their attention back to him. He was reaching up. Towards them, towards their face, and they didn't know whether to move or not when he lazily cradled their face with a hand.
Noli leaned into the touch instead.
It was dumb, really, but they liked it. Liked the contact.
Liked the attention. Liked the affection.
Liked 007n7.
...wild.