Emeralds For Trade // DNF Royalty AU

Chapter 7.3: Oh Demigod, Your Beauty Transcends This World

"Wait. Hold on. Is that.... A blush, I see?" Techno teased, causing Dream to let out a laugh which he echoed.

"Alright, alright, don't make me put the mask back on."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Go on. Tell me about him"

Dream laid down in his seat again, legs draped over the armrest as they were before. He lit another cigar, getting comfortable and letting his mind paint a pretty picture.

"You've met him. He has kind eyes, despite the air of professionalism he keeps on. It's like he has a mask of his own. But the times I've caught him alone, I see the way it melts off. It's like he's different with me, and I'm different with him. I want to be better when I'm with him."

Techno hums in acknowledgement, pouring himself more wine.

"Do better how?"

"Be better. And I don't know. I want to make him smile, blush, laugh. I want to have everything he's willing to offer. And it's almost like he has me wrapped around his fingers, even though he's so apprehensive about me. He has my mind on a tether, it never strays from him for long."

"So, what d'you like about him?"

Dream took a moment to think about how he wanted to articulate his thoughts. He took another drag of his cigar.

"He hides. In his own way, he keeps himself guarded even when it doesn't look like he does, but I notice. I think it's the glimpses through that, that's what draws me in. The moments where the superficial, 'polite prince' resolve breaks down and he's left wide-eyed and curious. That makes me want to know him better. Moments like that leave me absolutely breathless."

Techno watched Dream for a moment. The way he stares at the ceiling longingly, gets lost in his head. It truly was a connection that Dream believed in, and he had never seen the man behave like that before.

"That's really sweet. I didn't expect that from you," Techno said honestly, not a hint of teasing in his voice. "I hope he sees it."

"That's the thing, I don't know if he does. He doesn't trust me yet, is the thing. I wouldn't blame him, my walls are pretty high too, for the most part. Not when I'm around him, though. He has to see that," Dream said with a sigh. "He should see it."

"How's he gonna see it when he can't even meet your eyes?" Techno pointed out. Dream opened his mouth to speak but closed it again when he realised the man was right. "I see you blushin' just talkin' about him, that look in your eyes. But he doesn't have that luxury that I do right now."

"I won't hide it from him forever," Dream mumbled. "I was gonna take the mask off eventually."

"Sure, but until then, you need to show him that he can trust you."

Dream closed his eyes, tapping the ash from the end of his second cigar in the tray. He let out a soft sigh.

"I was planning to send over a gift."

"Ooh. Do tell."

"It's pretty common knowledge that Diamond isn't.... The wealthiest nation in the continent. The winter's going to be particularly harsh on them, with their stunted crops. So I was thinking of sending a carton or two of our crop nutrients."

Techno nearly dropped his cigar. The Dust of Emerald was a fertilizer of sorts, the most powerful one known to man. It kept crops alive through the seasons, stimulated growth at double its speed under optimum conditions. Emerald had never shared this secret resource with any other nation, no matter how much they were willing to pay.