Skully pulled down on Seath’s tail from on the wooden floor, attempting to get his attention. “Seath… Seath, can I bother you?” he asked, watching the dragon continue to put his books away despite not really being able to see well.

“Hmm?” Seath asked, looking down in that general direction. “Well, you’re already bothering me, so what do you want?” he asked, putting the book on the shelf gently.

“I was uh… wondering… once you’re all settled in… could I… maybe…” Skully said slowly, extremely nervous and even a little intimated. “Y-You know…”
“Spit it out, I don’t have all day.” Seath said as he grabbed another stack of books to continue stocking them up. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.”
“I… Nevermind.” Skully said, hanging his head in hopelessness. “I’ll… let you get back to putting your books away.”
“Wasting my time… How typical.” Seath said, paying no mind to it, though then he stopped. “What do you want? You saved my life and returned my sanity, so the least I can do is hear you out.”
The man blushed slightly and looked down. “I… Well, I was hoping, if and when you have time, we could… do something some time.”
“I could use a research assistant if you’re asking me to hire you. As payment, I can teach you spells or… whatever.” he stated, rolling his wrist to express his apathy towards the matter.
“Actually, that sounds kind of nice… Do you need someone to read the books to you?” Skully asked, hoping to be more of use. “If they’re not in Braille.”
“They’re not in… whatever that is, but I doubt you could read them. Your IQ is far below mine and I doubt you would really be able to understand let alone read most of the words in these books.” Seath replied rather harshly. “On second thought, I retract my offer of being my assistant; you would only mess it up.”
Skully looked down, but this time more out of hurt. “Alright, Seath, if you say so. I’m going to go.” he said, not really giving the dragon another chance to speak before he left.
“Skully, could you hand me any books I’ve dropped? I can’t feel them due to my levitation.” the scaleless dragon said before looking around. “Skully, did you really leave?” he asked, feeling around for him for a moment. “Oh, dear…” he muttered, tapping his chin. “Channeler! Channeler, you are needed for a special task!”
“Yes, your Grace?” the Channeler asked as he stepped up with his trident. “How may I be of assistance?”
“I have a rather… odd request. Do not question me and do not, under any circumstances, make any assumptions.” Seath said rather seriously. “That pink-haired human that was here moments ago… Find him and-”
“Abduct him, your Grace?” the Channeler asked, though he flinched when Seath almost backhanded him.
“No, you imbecile! Never ever bring that up in regards to him again!” Seath said angrily. “Go and find him and let me see him through your helmet… Talk to him about me. I need to know what he wanted to tell me before he stormed off.” he said, then turned away to feel around for the books. “And find out why he left.”
“Yes, your Grace.” the Channeler spoke before he left in search of Skully. “Young man?!” the Channeler called out, looking over the banister for a moment. “Are you still in the Archives?!” he called out, noticing him over by the balcony. “Ah, there you are…” he said as he went outside and took a moment to figure out his words. “Why have you stormed off out here, if I may ask.”
“Because Seath’s an asshole.” Skully replied, looking down over the trees and the lake. “And he can’t be nice to anyone.”
“He may have a temper.” the Channeler said, not really wanting to verify anything negative about the Duke. “He isn’t always like this.”
“Right, like when I saved him… And for what?” Skully asked, looking at him briefly before looking away.
Seath watched through the symbols, though he really wished he could hear it, too. He watched impatiently as he studied what he could see of the human’s face. For that brief moment where the human turned, he swore he caught a glimpse of a tear going down his face. “A… tear? I don’t believe I was that harsh with him.”
“His Grace has much useful information!” the Channeler said proudly. “Many ideas to share with the world and he is very smart!”
“So?” Skully said, just looking over the nature below. “The world has way more than enough information and science… And it has too many assholes.” he added. “If you came to try and get me back inside, I’m not going in. Not until I’m read to leave.”
“May I at least ask what you had planned to say before?” the Channeler asked, placing his hand on the human’s shoulder. “I may have been sent, but you have done His Grace and myself more than I could ever repay… Please, feel free to share with me.”
Skully was honestly hesitant, but after several moments, he sighed. “I was going to tell him that I was in love with him, but… After trying to just simply talk him a few times, I feel like trash. I don’t know why you work for him, but I can’t be around him anymore. He’s… just so heartless and egotistical. Sure, he’s smart, but… he doesn’t have the decency to treat me like a person. Or to really… I don’t know, just… He treats me like a nuisance when all I’ve ever done was try and be a friend.”
“I see…” the Channeler said, looking away slightly. “Well, see, you didn’t hear this from me, but he seems rather worried about you. I don’t think he’s really aware of how much he cares about you. I need to report back to him, but… Please, allow him another chance.” he said before patting the man’s shoulder.
Skully took a heavy breath and then blew it out slowly, still leaning on the banister. “Of, course…” he muttered, resting his head on the banister.
“Your Grace, I have your requested information, though you may not like what you hear.” the Channeler said, waiting until he had the dragon’s attention. “You see, he… Fancies you.” he added.
“Fancies?” Seath seemed to ask, though more out of confusion. “I have no time for fancying… Too much work to do, but tell him I appreciate the sentiment. Perhaps that will calm him down.”
“You Grace, there’s more.” the Channeler spoke. “He… is leaving.”
“L-L-Leaving?!” Seath asked, a bit frantically. “Why?!”
“Well, you hurt his feelings. He believes you dislike him, or at least don’t care about him.” the Channeler said, noticing the slight sad look on the dragon. “He feels as if all his friendly efforts have been… well, thrown away. He added that when he speaks with you, he often feels like… waste.”
Seath tapped his claws together while averting away from seeing his own face from the Channeler’s helmet. “Is he still here?”
“For the time being, he is outside.” the Channeler said before he was immediately pushed out of the way.
“Skully!” Seath shouted as he clumsily made his way through the building before hearing a shuffle of feet. He didn’t think twice before lunging his hand out the open area and snatching the human up. “Skully, is that you?!”
“Holy shit! Yes, Seath, it’s me! Put me down!” Skully said angrily. “I’m on my way out!”
“No, you’re staying!” Seath said assertively, putting the human down. “And you’ll listen to what I have to say!” he added, though then he got rather soft-spoken and shy. “It has come to my attention that I may have… hurt your feelings.” he said, tapping his claws together again. “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately with the… new Archive, which is beautiful, by the way!” he said, looking away slightly, even though he couldn’t see. He knew the human was staring at him. “And I’m… thankful… for you saving me.” he said, getting even quieter. “Perhaps… I could still use a research assistant if you’re available.”
“Is this your way of trying to make it all up to me? You can’t just… go and apologize for being shitty and hope it all goes away, Seath.” Skully said angrily, though he tried to keep his cool since the dragon was calm…ish.
“No, please!” Seath said, gently reaching out until he felt Skully and softly gripping his much-tinier hand in his own. “Please stay, Skully… It’s so empty here without you.”
“You have the Channeler.” Skully said, motioning to him in the distance picking up some books. “And a couple Moonlight Butterflies.”
“That’s… not the same.” Seath said, looking down. “I don’t expect you to understand, but… it’s empty anywhere without you. There’s no book I could read and there’s no spell I’ve found that… you could’ve cast to alter my mind like this. I…” he started to say before he grew extremely quiet. “Please, Skully. Please.”
Skully blushed slightly and folded his arms, pulling his hand away. “Why should I?”
Seath slowly retracted his hand as his body langue and facial expression showed guilt. “What do you want? I have plenty of crystal. I have books I’m willing to part with. I could make another Channeler for you.”
“I don’t want your stuff, Seath.” Skully said with a sigh. “I wanted… I wanted a friend. I wanted someone who enjoys me being around and appreciates the little things I do.” he explained, noticing Seath look even guiltier. “I get that you’re a bit pompous and think everyone is below you, but… for once, couldn’t you act like you’re not bigger, stronger, and more intelligent than me? For once, couldn’t you want to do something with me that’s not an obligation?”
Seath went to speak, but he remained silent. He gave a sad sigh before he grabbed Skully slowly against his will and held him close. “I don’t have words for you… I can’t make it all better.” he said, nuzzling him gently. “But if you’re willing to give me a second chance, I can promise to try.” he added, giving a slightly hopeful smile. “Please, Skully… give this dragon another chance.”
“Seath, it’s not just that… I fell for you and… you broke my heart into a thousand pieces.” Skully said, trying to pull himself out of the dragon’s grasp.
“I can fix that with some magic!” Seath said hopefully, but he could somehow tell that it wasn’t what Skully meant. “Or, perhaps… not.” he added, slowly putting the human down. “I can’t make you stay… I mean, I could, but I won’t.” he said softly. “But it’s very cold and very empty without your presence.”
Skully gave yet another sigh before facing away. “Seath, have you ever found love before?”
“I had perverted thoughts and sex with a Goddess before… I have a daughter, remember?” Seath asked, giving a proud grin. “That counts, right?”
“No, that’s making love… It’s arousal. It’s not the same.” Skully explained. “When you love someone… You can’t see yourself without them. Nothing holds as much meaning without them and you suddenly want them there for all the good moments.” he began to explain. “When you love someone, you sometimes put their needs above your own and you really enjoy your time around them, even if it’s just small talk.”
“I…” Seath started to say, but then he blushed slightly. “I feel that way about you… I’m-I’m just bad at showing it.” he said before he tapped his claws together. “What do people in love do?”
Skully blushed harder. “I can’t just tell the scientific explanation for how to handle it.” he stated, still a bit irritated. “Depending on the person, relationships go different ways.”
“Well, what do you like?” Seath asked, glad there wasn’t as much hostility now. “Could I, somehow make this up to you in some way? I would… prefer your company.”
“Seath…” Skully said as he shook his head before deciding to just roll with it in case Seath was genuine; he was a sucker for a bleeding heart. “Fine, I guess you could… start off spending time with me. Anything; I don’t care what.”
“Why not take a seat while I finish putting books away?” Seath said, motioning around him. “Unless, you would prefer something more engaging?”
“The latter sounds better.” Skully replied, gasping as he was carefully picked up. “Where are you taking me?” he asked nervously, watching as Seath levitated down to the lower floor and retreated to a large room covered in crystals.
“Then, perhaps my personal quarters might be more to your liking…” Seath said with a proud smirk.
“Seath, I’m not having sex with you!” Skully said adamantly.
“Who said that was what I had in mind?” Seath asked, pulling a book off one of his more personal shelves. “I have a few books specially made for myself so that I could still read them… Now, let’s see…” he said, running his fingers along the pages. “Aha, you humans like this… kissing. And hugging. And… this… cuddling.” he said, to which gently ran his claw against Skully’s cheek once finding it. “So, how about that kiss, hmm?” he asked, grinning smugly as he leaned his body down towards Skully. “Should I wait for you or should I initiate this?” he asked.
“I’m not going to-” Skully was in the middle of saying before his eyes shot open, pinned to the ground beneath the scaleless dragon’s lips. He squirmed wildly as Seath pressed fairly hard into it, but kept his slightly open mouth against Skully’s face and gently closed it. He caught Seath blushing slightly and giggling as he did this. “Seath, let me show you how it’s done…” he stated, leaning in some to kiss him softly, causing the dragon to blush beet red and fan his face slightly.
“Oh my…” he said a bit flamboyantly. “Is that what a kiss feels like?” he asked as he leaned in for another one, but did better this time as he picked the human up while holding the kiss. “Don’t mind if I partake in this more often…” he stated, giving another soft giggle. “I’ll need to make a book for you where I can mark down my findings and learn about you more.” he said rather loudly. “Does that idea excite you?”
Skully smiled softly, surprised to see this side of Seath. “Perhaps a little… But only if nobody else reads it.”
“Deal!” Seath said, snatching the human up and nuzzling him softly. “I do need to continue putting my books away, but if you would come with me… I… would greatly appreciate it.” he said shyly.
“Sure, Seath… and perhaps I can help put books away?” Skully asked, hoping to be of help.
Seath’s tail thumped the floor as he bit his tongue. “Oh, alright… but only if you tell me which books you pick up and put them exactly where I tell you. Any misplaces books will just anger me.”
“Sweet!” Skully said excitedly, kissing the dragon’s cheek softly. “I… really think this could work, Seath~”
“It better…” Seath said a bit grumpily. “I hope I’m not wasting my extra time with emotions that will just be flushed down the drain later. It’ll halt my research.” he said, but then started moving out of the room. “Until then, you’re my little research assistant… and my little bookworm~” he said sweetly, kissing him gently on the back of his head. “Come, there is much work to do.”