Isaac woke when Noctis snuggled a little closer to him. Slowly, he blinked the sleep from his eyes and suppressed a yawn.
Noctis' head was still resting on his chest.
And they were still wrapped tightly around each other.
Isaac had absolutely no intention of waking him.
He knew all too well how exhausting healing could be. In games, people simply jumped back to their feet after a healing spell as if nothing had happened. A few seconds later, they were fighting again, running around, or throwing themselves into the next adventure. Reality, unfortunately, didn't work that way. Healing didn't mean the body suddenly no longer needed rest. Quite the opposite.
Still, Isaac was rather glad about that fact. It forced Noctis to take it easy, and Isaac didn't have to worry about him getting attacked again.
Even now, with the move just around the corner.
Isaac grimaced slightly.
Fortunately, he hardly owned anything at the moment. A few canvases, his paints, some crafting supplies, and the usual bathroom necessities. That was all that remained of his belongings.
Although maybe he could finally visit his apartment and at least retrieve some of his clothes. Unless Levi was keeping an eye on it instead of the Boss. In that case, he obviously couldn't just stroll into his apartment.
Well.
And then there was that box. The very thought of it made his stomach flutter with unease, while at the same time the memory of what was inside stirred something in him. He remembered quite clearly what Noctis had done with its contents.
No. That damned box was definitely not coming with them when they moved. If anything, he and Noctis could look into and try other things together—but certainly not anything his damn brother had bought without asking! He would hide it, bury it, or, if necessary, burn it. As long as it disappeared from his life. The farther away it was, the better.
With a sigh, he stared up at the ceiling.
The upcoming move made him nervous.
Since Benedict had nearly shot him, Isaac had left the safehouse only once—for the break-in at the Boss's place. And even there, he had run into Levi.
The memory alone sent a chill through him.
Something told him that Levi was simply waiting for them to settle into their new location. He wasn't stupid, after all, and if Isaac were in his position, he would use the move as an opportunity to strike. He didn't believe Vincent's people would adapt to the new environment that quickly.
There would be weaknesses somewhere, and Levi would find them.
His stomach tightened involuntarily. The familiar panic slowly began to creep through his body again.
No.
He forced himself to take a deep breath. Panic wouldn't help him. Maybe it would be better to think about what he could actually do. That would be much easier if he knew when they were moving. How much time did he have?
Knowing Vincent as well as he did by now, probably not much. It certainly wouldn't be a week—just a few days.
The thought only added to the pressure.
His gaze drifted to Noctis.
He had already painted and enchanted new cards for him. So he would focus on the talisman next. Or rather, the talismans. Plural. One that could save Noctis' life in an emergency. Another linked to Isaac, capable of conveying Noctis' physical condition to him.
That thought alone made Isaac press his lips together.
What else could he give him?
Maybe a talisman that would sound an alarm if someone with hostile intentions approached him? But could he enchant a simple leather bracelet in a way that would actually warn Noctis?
There was only one way to find out.
Maybe he was thinking too small anyway.
After all, Vincent had told him that his magic was fueled by imagination and willpower. That the limits often existed only where one chose to draw them.
So why not create an invisible shield?
Isaac closed his eyes for a moment.
What he wanted was actually quite simple.
He wanted Noctis to be safe. He wanted him to be well, and he wanted to know that he was well.
Nothing more.
When he opened his eyes again, his decision was made.
The problem was that Isaac couldn't realistically make that many talismans for him. Maybe it would be better to create a single one that contained everything he wanted to give Noctis. Above all, it had to remain connected to Isaac.
Gently, Isaac brushed a dark strand of hair from Noctis' face.
He still remembered exactly what it felt like to keep a protective spell active permanently. Having a backup that wasn't actively in use should be manageable. It would only make him tired. Nothing more.
Noctis had already scolded him about that once. Back then, he had given Isaac a lengthy lecture about how he shouldn't constantly risk his own health. But at that time, Isaac had still been actively operating as the Phantom Moonshadow.
Right now, he was hiding and keeping a low profile so Levi wouldn't find him.
What could possibly happen to him?
He would make another backup as well, so there would be a spare talisman in reserve. If Noctis was injured again...
...then he would no longer sit by and do nothing.
It was time to act.
Levi had been the shadow trailing through his life for years. The only person capable of filling him with fear through his mere existence. No one else triggered that paralyzing urge to flee. No one else made him tremble.
But he would face him if Levi really was the one responsible for Noctis' wounds. Noctis had said he didn't know whether the assassins had been sent by Levi. Yet Isaac's gut feeling told him clearly that the bastard was behind all of it.
If Levi had Isaac, then he would leave Noctis alone.
Isaac let out a quiet sigh.
He didn't want to be anywhere near Levi. He wanted to stay with Noctis, move into an apartment with him, and finally go on vacation together. He wanted to make happy memories, lose himself in Noctis, and leave the fear behind once and for all.
And someday, he wanted nothing more than a peaceful life.
A life no longer tied to Magnolia.
By now, all the lies that had come before no longer mattered to him. He was afraid for the only person who had ever truly meant anything to him.
Noctis let out a soft, indistinct murmur and snuggled even closer against him.
Isaac gently stroked Noctis' hair.
I'll protect you, even when I can't be by your side.
For a moment, he simply enjoyed the peace.
It was nice simply lying in bed with him like this. They hadn't done anything more in the direction of sex the night before. Noctis had been so exhausted that he had kissed Isaac once more before falling asleep on top of him, and since then he hadn't moved away from him even an inch.
Maybe soon they would finally be able to make their dreams come true.
Isaac lay quietly, absentmindedly running his fingers through Noctis' hair.
He wished he could do something. However, he understood the others' argument that it was better if he didn't get openly involved. Isaac was more than capable of fighting and defending himself, but the others would have serious problems if Levi managed to get hold of him.
Isaac was well aware that his magic could support them. So he needed to come up with something that could help.
Then, suddenly, an idea occurred to him.
Carefully, he disentangled himself from Noctis.
Noctis let out a quiet grumble and snuggled deeper into the sheets. Isaac hoped he hadn't woken him. He stood beside the bed, holding his breath for a few heartbeats, but a moment later Noctis' breathing settled into its calm, steady rhythm once more.
Only then did Isaac slip out of the room on tiptoe.
Sleep a little longer, darling, he thought with a faint smile.
There were things he needed to take care of.