private PSL

[srsbznss]

[Part of the problem with being a financial advisor, Ali realized, was that it meant he had to work. And it wasn't even the fun kinds of 'work' like stacking coins and sorting them by the quality of their gold or silver, oh no. The king had made it quite clear that any coin-counting was to be done only when requested, or outside of working hours. No, Ali had to do things like read and fill out paperwork, or run analytics on tax revenue and what kind of surplus or expenditures there were in the quarter. Or, at the very least, he had to assign all of that work to one of his several secretaries. After all, he at to at least keep up the appearances of being a financial advisor, and over the last few decades he had gotten pretty good at that. It wasn't impossible, but it also wasn't nearly as fun as counting coins.

Of course, he would get odd looks if he just sat around counting coins all day. To anyone else looking in, they did not see the fearsome dragon Aligrezoph, guardian of the kingdom's treasury. They saw Ali, a normal- albeit quirky- man who kept a very small social circle in the finance department and spent most of his days trying to keep expenditures to a minimum while saving up as much as he could. All for the kingdom's benefit, of course. It totally wasn't so there would be an even bigger pile of coins for Ali to count on his breaks.

Indeed, most who looked at Ali would just see an average-looking man. shoulder-length black hair tied back with a black ribbon, piercing blue eyes, a perpetual frown stuck on his face in most situations. A lean body that was more built for flexibility and speed than strength, and a very simple style of dress in neutral colors. He looked every bit like a stuffy accountant, though Ali would argue that he wasn't really THAT stuffy. He was just comfortable with the form!

He also would not talk about his other form under any circumstances.

On that day, Ali had an armful of expense reports with him. There was to be a meeting, and he had stayed up all night with two of his secretaries preparing these reports. With the midsummer festival coming up, the festivities had to be decided upon and paid for. And, as usual, Ali wanted to keep the expenses as low as possible. For the good of the kingdom, of course. Ultimately his team had prepared a few possible expense reports, with varying amounts spent on decorations, hiring out staff, and paying guards for keeping the peace. Any one of his plans would be acceptable, but Ali was sure that someone would complain. There was always someone who complained and called him a 'coin-pinching cheapskate', but those complaints had picked up more in recent years. Already Ali was annoyed just from the thought of the argument that would happen that day when he butted heads with a certain other advisor. Sparks would fly as usual, and these weren't the good kind of sparks.

But Ali was willing to give it a chance. As people arrived at the meeting- a meeting between the king and his dozen or so advisors in the various ways of running the kingdom- Ali worked to lay out one set of expense reports at each desk. It was only two pages of paper per table spot, so hopefully everyone liked to read!

Of course, when Ali passed a certain advisor, he had to fight the urge to make a snide comment. Instead, he just held out the two-page document to him, trying not to show too much contempt when he spoke.]

Do take care of those papers, will you? My staff stayed up all night finishing them.

[He was a dragon in hiding, not a snake in hiding, but his words still had bite to them.]

Comments

[srsbznss]

[The wait will make the evening that much sweeter though. At least, that's what Ali is telling himself. Besides that, he feels like they should spend at least some time together without going at it, he doesn't want to start getting worked up every time he sees Concord just because of expectations.

Interestingly, when Concord describes his jaunts out to the forest, Ali doesn't picture him doing that as a unicorn. For a moment he imagines a very human-looking Concord rolling around in the grass, and he lets out a soft 'pffft' in amusement as he tries to cover up the smile on his face with a hand. He gets crinkles at the corners of his eyes though, betraying how funny he finds that mental image.]

How do you even have time for that? You're one of the most dedicated advisors to the king.

[virtuesignal]

[Hmm, a compliment from Ali that he actually believes, doesn't see as backhanded. How novel,]

I am glad you think so. [Concord doesn't mind the laughter, merely cocking his head Ali's way to watch as he tries to hide it. He presumes he's also got some cute image in his head from the description. Only fair, given Concord had similar about Ali...]

As for when. I need to do so at least every equinox. It helps the land turn over into a new season. [unicorn stuff, nothing special to him]

[srsbznss]

[Oh, now that's interesting. Ali doesn't know much about the duties of unicorns, but given how magical they are he's not surprised by this admission.]

Oh? You must have done that a few weeks ago then, yes?

[The summer equinox is usually about a month or so before the midsummer festival. Now Ali is wondering if he can remember Concord's absence from any work duties during that time. He has to admit to himself that he hadn't really been paying attention to Concord's comings and goings then though.]

Are there others who go with you? I don't know of any other unicorns in the capitol city.

[virtuesignal]

Yes. Which is why I didn't think to take time off this festival, when you first mentioned as much. [Ali is right about him being dutiful, he doesn't usually make time for what isn't entirely necessary.]

I would not suspect there are. We are anchored to whatever land we oversee, so leaving it is unwise. Only female unicorns can roam free and only when they are looking for a mate. They will travel the entire world to find a suitable partner.

[why is he sharing all this? Just because it is nice to do so? Maybe it isn't for Ali's sake, but his own. That's probably self centered of him, so he quiets down, leave it at that.]

Have you known other dragons?

[srsbznss]

[It's useful for Ali, it's clearing up some misconceptions he had about unicorns. It also explains why the King had thought to ally himself with Concord: it sounds like the protection of a unicorn is vital to the land, so being in contact with the unicorn tied to this particular bit of land would help keep the farms prosperous and the forests relatively safe. Very smart on the King's part, Ali finds himself thinking.

The question that follows prickles at the back of Ali's mind though. He's sure Concord is asking to be polite, and he has no way of knowing how sensitive the topic is. So Ali ends up leaning against the parapet and gazing out over the festival as he gives an answer. It's easy to talk in half-truths when he's not looking directly at Concord's scrutinizing eyes.]

A long time ago, yes. I actually have two other siblings I was hatched out with, and dragons tend to be social creatures. There's always some posturing over hoards- collections, but generally dragons who don't have overlapping collections can get along with each other.

But I'm a bit of a pariah among dragons, since I prefer this form over my dragon form. Dragons are a bit conceited, and most other dragons see my preferences as a sign that something is wrong with me. Dragons are often hunted by humans, after all, and usually for benign crimes like 'eating livestock' or 'having a home too close to a town'. Most dragons see humans as an annoyance at best. So it's just...easier, I suppose, to not constantly have the same conversation about why I like living like this.

[It's technically the truth, a lot of dragons do think Ali is weird for living largely as a human. But it's leaving out the very large detail of "being such a small dragon gets him teased by friendly dragons and outright bullied and stolen from by the more territorial ones".]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord listens attentively to Ali as he speaks. While the dragon is looking out over the view, he's watching Ali's face, trying to take in everything being said and how Ali feels about it. Lonesome, it seems to Concord, a feeling he knows well. It would make a pit in his heart, but that already feels full up, not empty. No deeper thought to that, though, not... right now. For some reason...]

I like living this way, too. Humans can do great misdeeds, but many are good, vibrant, and caring people. It would devastate me to return to solitude, having gotten to know this kind of life. [which is how most unicorns live, as secluded as they can within nature. He's never met another one, not besides his own mother.]

It is better to live how you want than how is expected of you.

[srsbznss]

['Lonesome' is indeed how it is. Ali doesn't complain about a lack of companionship, it's a part of his life that he's had a long time to accept. But just because he's accepted it doesn't mean he is completely okay with it. There are moments when he has only himself to rely on, and in those moment his chest feels both empty and ready to burst open at the same time.

It's less lonely now, with the King and everyone in the castle. But for the most part they are all humans, and someday Ali will see them all buried. It's a truth of humanity he hasn't forgotten.

Still, when he speaks next, it's with a soft smile on his face as he watches the crowds below, and a touch of fondness to his tone too.]

They're so different from any other species. They live but a few decades, and yet in that time they accomplish more than any of us could even dream of. They burn so brightly...it's like they know their flame will be a short one, and they're making as much use of its light as they can.

[Ali is grumpy. Ali is distrustful. Ali doesn't make close friends that easily. But one truth about him is that he honestly admires humans as a whole. Even if individual humans drive him up a wall sometimes, the collective accomplishments of humanity continue to win him over, again and again.]

We can't hope to burn as brightly as them. All we can do is linger and feel their warmth.

[virtuesignal]

Yes... the fire of humanity is a brilliant one. It is the reason I am here.

[He suddenly appreciates that about Ali, too, his warmth. He's a funny creature, but he is fiery and wicked in the good ways to be so.

Concord had his arms folded, but one drops to his midsection, pressing a palm over a spot to one side of his navel...]

Have you ever been told the story of how our King rescued me? He does not tell it much, believes it is too woeful a tale to boast of.

[srsbznss]

[The sudden change in topic gets Ali to look up, giving Concord a curious glance.]

No, he didn't. He's never been one to share personal stories like that, he's always told people to go ask the other parties involved.

[A trait that Ali is grateful for, since the King knows about Ali's size problem and bullying problem.]

[virtuesignal]

I suspected as much. I have no clue how you came to be here, either.

[Concord extends a finger and taps it gently to the spot he had his palm pressed to,]

Before he was a King, he came to these lands which were cast in perpetual winter. He discovered me pinned down into a stone, an enchanted sword through my back. I cannot say how long I was trapped like that. Time escaped me as I lay frozen for... perhaps centuries, I do not know. [it's a grim story, he knows, but it should probably be told. Ali would see the scar it left on his back and gut, the only one he had. A unicorn can heal away most wound, but that was too grievous to simply disappear.]

Another might have sawed off my horn or fielded me like common deer. Instead, he set me free and tended my wounds. I was not happy about that, mind you. It took me some time to not act the angry, wild, hurt animal.

[srsbznss]

[Ali hadn't been sure if this would be a pleasant story or not, but as he listens to Concord explain his face falls further and further into a look of concern. Ali is no stranger to being mistreated- it's the reason for his general distrust, after all- but this is absolutely horrific. Who could do such a thing? And to someone as honorable and noble as Concord?

Ali's thoughts get away from him, and he comments before he can stop himself.]

Well if course, anyone would be angry and hurt after going through that. Why did somebody do that to you?

[In his mind, whoever did it is already a horrible person. But his question is a reflexive one.]

[virtuesignal]

A simple lust for power and control. These lands are mine to oversee and this forgotten conqueror saw me as an obstacle. If he killed me, this land would wither until a new guardian took my place. Instead, he saw fit to trap me.

[Concord bothers to crack a small, sad smirk. He's long come to terms with this tale, but the King helped me heal from it. Warmth against the cold he endured so long...]

His empire failed under the weight of an endless winter he himself caused. No records remain, no stories save the one I have to tell, and I cannot recall his name. A fine revenge, that he is lost to time, with no legacy to speak of.

[srsbznss]

So he had an absolutely idiotic plan, and then he didn't even follow through with it and suffered the consequences of his horrible decisions. Typical.

[Of evil people mostly, but Ali also has a feeling that the forgotten ruler was human. As much as Ali admires humanity as a whole, there will always be individuals who earn his ire. And this particular dead person has earned it in spades.

'For some reason.']

How did the King win you over? This endless winter was gone before I came to this kingdom, and I hadn't heard of this tale before.

[virtuesignal]

Quite.

[Humans may be vibrant and worthy of protection, but also known for their hubris. Their King was never a conqueror, he was simply a noble man with a strong will and a good heart. He didn't need to make demands or threats to command a following. People simply want to, because they believe in him. That is rare in royalty, as far as Concord understands...]

With patience and kindness. He tended my wounds and aided my recovery, demanding nothing of me in return. [a short beat] Well, he did demand I not stab nor trample him, a fair requirement...

He called me brother and I could sense no deception in him. The land recovered with me... so, when he was ready, I bestowed it to his stewardship as King. The crown of his place once hung around my neck, after all. [a crown that never belonged to the cruel conqueror who trapped him, turning to dust upon his head when he tried to steal it. Only when the land was healed did Concord have the magic to create another one.]

[srsbznss]

[That addition to the story gets a soft chuckle from Ali. He can absolutely picture their king saying that.]

He would have been a young man then, I imagine. To think he was already that wise back then...

[The kindness and patient personality are expected though. Their king has always been like that.

Such a personal story gives Ali an idea though. He had been struggling to think of a suitable gift to give Concord in return, but now he has an idea. It makes him feel a bit silly, but based on Concord's story and his past comments he thinks Concord might like it. Which is why he holds out a hand towards Concord, palm-up, inviting him to take his hand. Such an invitation comes with a quick warning though.]

You cannot laugh about this under any circumstances, understood? I will shove you over the wall if you do.

[He would not, it's a blatantly empty threat, but still.]

[virtuesignal]

Is that a threat or a promise?

[Concord is so deadpan it hopefully reads as intentional humor. Rare from him, most jokes seem to go over his head. Actually cracking a joke himself is nearly unheard of, usually he responds much too strict and earnest for that.

He does take Ali's hand, curiously]

[srsbznss]

[Ali has to pause for a moment, because he honestly isn't sure if it's a joke or not. Concord is so serious all the time, it's hard to tell his 'deadpan humor' from genuine seriousness. It has to be a joke though, Ali decides, given how their conversation has been going. Probably the first time he's heard Concord tell a joke, or at least the first time he's realized it was a joke. Ali makes a mental note to watch more carefully to see if Concord tells jokes in the future.

Was eating the notes at last week's meeting a joke too? Ali isn't sure about that one.

But Ali lets out a soft snort of amusement before continuing:]

You can have it as both, sure. But here-

[With Concord's hand in Ali's, Ali folds his other hand over the top of Concord's. He does run warm, so this might already feel a little warmer than the cool air of a summer at night. But then Ali focuses on his magic for a moment, and his hands suddenly feel warmer. Not so warm as to burn or be uncomfortable, but distinctly warmer in a 'sitting near an open fire after a long day outside in the rain and cold' kind of way.

Ali's tone sounds a bit more sincere as he speaks again.]

As long as you remain here, you won't be cold like that ever again.

[All those years pinned down in perpetual winter had to be miserable, Ali has decided. So Ali won't let Concord suffer through a cold like that ever again. Not just because of the strange decisions Ali has been taking lately either, it's also because Concord is an honorable person, and such a good person doesn't deserve that kind of suffering. A dragon's fire is warm enough for most beings, so hopefully it can keep a unicorn warm too.]

[virtuesignal]

[The note eating had been part way joke and part way act of defiance. Concord would have said he takes orders from none other than the King, but now he's here and willing to do just about anything Ali wished him to. What a change... but a refreshing one.

Ali wraps up his hand and Concord feels the added warmth spread. Dragons and their magic, he can guess. it is very soothing, but Ali's words are even more so. A very kind sentiment, making Concord wonder how much of his attraction is being drawn to Ali's natural warmth. Physical warmth, sure, but also this kind of caring warmth on display. Ali might be a quirky, strange sort of man, but so was Concord. Neither fit in with the norms of human society fully, they never could, but they're welcome all the same...

It's a pleasant thought. Concord moves his other arm around Ali and catches him, pulling him in to Concord's chest. Their shared bundle of hands rests over his heart and he squeezes the embrace tighter, letting the warmth be shared between them.

He doesn't know what more to say, he thinks that speaks well to his acceptance of the gesture. A touch romantic, he thinks again, also consider how much he doesn't mind that and how curious that is to him.]

[srsbznss]

[Two creatures peering in on humanity, wishing to participate but struggling to do so. Perhaps they can understand each other's struggles well, if they try to.

At first Ali tenses for a moment, unsure of what to expect from the sudden movement. But he quickly realizes that it's a hug, that Concord is genuinely hugging him, and he's not sure how to process that. They've hugged before, sure, but it's been in the middle of making out. Moments of passion are easier to accept than genuine heartfelt moments.

But still, Ali finds himself relaxing into this hug and tipping his head forward to rest on Concord's shoulder. He hadn't meant to inspire such strong feelings in Concord, but he will accept this anyway. The 'for some reason's keep piling up, and eventually he's going to have to address them, but for now he can say that this is Concord's way of saying 'thank you' and try his best to overlook how content he feels being in Concord's arms like this.

The warmth in their hands, held between their bodies, can be felt in Ali's chest too. Or at least, he's blaming the warmth he feels in his chest on his own magic. It surely can't be something else.]

[virtuesignal]

[Ali tenses up at the hug and Concord debates letting it go, wonders briefly if it was too intimate a display. A silly notion, in his mind, given why they're here... so he's relieved when Ali relaxes into his shoulder. He allows the moment to stretch out, basking it that warmth as it were.

When he thinks to pull away, it's only so far as he can turn his own head to Ali. He leans in, catching his lips. It's a kiss with enough urgency to be passionate, but not rushed, not desperate. It's an assured kiss, one he's certain about and confident in. Ali frustrated him, works him up, but that's all turned sweet. Concord invites the push and pull they have to stay, comfortable with it.]

[srsbznss]

[They have kissed a few times before, but this kiss is different. It's sweet, grounding. It's not just a vehicle for expressing passion, or for dragging them into a spiral that ends with one or both of them partially naked and spent. It's one with actual feelings behind it, feelings that Ali has been trying to staunchly write off as 'nothing serious'. But all the same, Ali finds himself responding to the kiss, kissing back with the same level of urgency and care.

Their arrangement is strange, to be sure, but Ali accepts it for what it is. They may try to put a name to it someday, but for now actions work fine in place of words.

Ali lets go of Concord's hand, and instead he brings his up to cup the sides of Concord's face. They're still warm from the magic he had been using, making his touches warmer and more welcoming. And when he has to break from the kiss to breathe, Ali finds himself watching Concord fondly.]

So I take it you accept my gift?

[Always cheeky, this one.]

[virtuesignal]

Yes.

[simple as that, from Concord, before he cracks the slightest smile. He's not really a sort to broadly grin. It does look handsome on his face, all the more so for being a rare sight.]

In your office, I had asked you about companionship. This is plenty suitable to fill that need.

[he slips his own hand from between them, meeting with his other at Ali's lower back. He rubs broad palms there, massaging around Ali's hips. He teases, quietly]

It was cute that you dressed up.

[srsbznss]

[That smile does something to Ali. He's never seen Concord smile like that before, and he swears he can feel his heart skip a beat. He had been lecturing himself mentally for acting like a lovestruck teenager before, but this is the moment where he really feels it. He's caught it bad.

He can't even respond to the comment about companionship. As happy as he feels to hear Concord calling it that, his mind is still rebelling against putting a name to whatever it is they have. They bicker and argue all the time, and Ali sometimes finds himself enjoying the bickering (especially when he wins), that's not really companionship is it?

To avoid showing how his face has dropped from confidence to insecurity, he leans forward against Concord again. It's better to be close and hide himself, he doesn't want to be visibly embarrassed.]

Well it's the proper thing to do, isn't it? It's a festival.

[A festival he only saw at a distance, with the company of one person, in an arguably romantic way.

Companionship. He's going to be running from that word for a while.]

[virtuesignal]

It is... [Concord hugs and holds Ali in his broad arms, letting the man have whatever comfort he's seeking in it.

He does look over the crowd, mingling and awaiting the show of fireworks. Concord's mind is drifting elsewhere, though, maybe because there is a particular thought come to him.

They could be plenty loud while literal fireworks are going off, couldn't they? Not that anybody is much in this wing of the castle, or nearby to Ali's secluded lair of a room by the treasury, but he still thinks it.

He dips in close to Ali's ear and says with his own heat]

We should do something improper before it is over.

[srsbznss]

[It takes Ali a moment to remember that had been their plan initially anyway: have relations while everyone else is away from the castle for the festival. Ali had taken the time to prepare for it, even, gathering the materials that the book he found said they would need. Still, he shivers reflexively as he feels that voice close to his ear. And, also reflexively, he grumbles out a quick complaint.]

Not up here we're not! If we're going to be improper, it's going to be in the proper place.

[Down a flight of stairs, tucked away in Ali's private quarters. He wants a bed for this kind of activity.]