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This was one of Norrin’s least favorite parts of the job. Was it not enough for him to select a planet, inform them of their imminent demise and guide his master to it? The pain and fear of every living being on the planet washed over Norrin as Galactus fed. As much as he wanted to look away, even for just a moment, his master held him in place with invisible threads.
To Galactus, this was merely life, his unending hunger would be sated for a short period of time, and he would send his Herald out once more to search for another meal. He and Norrin had done this dance countless times, and each time, he cannot help but drink in Norrin’s anguish. There is a sick satisfaction that he feels each time Norrin strains against his invisible bonds- as if he needed to feel more powerful. It wasn't long before the planet he was devouring was no more, and for now he rested.
The moment Norrin is able to move, he returns to Galactus’ throne room, kneeling upon his board as he approaches.
“You have done well, my herald”
His praise falls on deaf ears as Norrin forces his head down lower, casting his gaze into the void of the ship, desperate to escape the all seeing gaze of his master. Galactus hummed curiously, the sound reverberating in the cavernous structures of the planet destroying craft.
“Are you not proud?”
Before Norrin could even speak his mind, Galactus’ hand rose from its place and enveloped his silver clad companion's body. Within an instant, the board is dismissed elsewhere in the chamber. Galacatus had no intention of harming Norrin, his grip was loose as he cradled Norrin within his fingers and brought him to eye level. From here, he can see the contempt on his loyal companion, but it was hardly worth acknowledging.
In truth, among the swirling emotions of loathing and adoration, he pitied his master. His curse of unending hunger forced him to doom countless planets, but gave him limitless power. Yet for all this pity, Norrin could not understand what put Galactus above self sacrifice. He had sacrificed himself to save his own planet and people, he could not fathom why his master would choose this life of destruction.
Prior to Norrin’s sacrifice, he was alone. While he still did not see him as an equal and never would, he appreciated Norrin’s bravery and curiosity. Finally, Norrin looked into the deep violet of the great entity’s eyes, and suddenly any pangs of guilt washed away, leaving room only for devoted admiration.
“I am your loyal servant. Your satisfaction is praise enough.”
Galactus pondered the words of his herald while he ran his thumb along the smooth silvery skin of Norrin’s torso.
“Yet, I sense there is more that you desire. Speak.”
The greatest gift and perhaps most terrible curse that Norrin has received is to be granted near invulnerability. Now he rested quite literally in the palm of the one being that could truly cause him harm. Galactus was ever unreadable and would rarely offer anything without getting at least something in return. Norrin knew this, and was hesitant to respond. This form that was granted to him makes many external sensations dull, and while he lived a life free of discomfort from the elements, he cannot fully suppress the desire that builds within him. Echoes of his past love haunted him- he is ashamed to admit that, even though he missed all of her, there were times where he missed her body the most.
Now Norrin laid in Galactus’ open palm, propped up by his elbows- now held at eye level with the entity before him. The weight of his gaze rested heavy on Norrin’s chest, as though it was forcing his answer out of him. While Galactus was so far removed from society he no longer felt the burden of morality, Norrin felt guilty for his own desire- his own hunger.
“Please, you have given me so much, there is nothing I-”
He is interrupted by a low sigh from above- the reverberation sending shockwaves through the surfer’s body.
“I did not ask what you need- that I have already provided to you. Tell me what you want.”
Norrin could resist the demands of Galactus, even if, for the first time in a century, he was left breathless.
“I wish for… relief.”
They did not need to speak. Galactus could have just as easily discovered what Norrin wanted, but there he enjoys pulling it out of him. Norrin’s body barely fills his palm as he is raised to the lips of the great titan. Any other being would have been terrified- but in the hands of his companion, Norrin felt at ease. He reclined, allowing his head to rest on the pad above Galactus’ index finger, now comfortably positioned diagonally in his hand. The warmth of his breath bathes Norrin as the Devourer gently grazes his lips along his companion’s lower legs- a simulacrum of kiss.
Any sentiment of tenderness was overshadowed by his sheer size, but he enjoyed how it made Norrin tense in his hand. He closed his eyes, trusting wholeheartedly that Galactus would not harm him, his favored companion. Although he was breathless, his chest tightened, an ingrained sympathetic response to the overwhelming sensation of the titan’s heat engulfing him. Galactus, however, felt little outside of the psychic link that the two of them shared. He could feel the echoes of restrained pleasure that radiated from Norrin, as well as the slight shift in the energy around him. This was a selfless act, and more indicative of his nature than the cruelty of his condition.
Galactus pauses before making contact with Norrin again, causing the man in his palm to groan from the loss of contact. His gargantuan companion presses his opposing thumb against smooth silvery skin of Norrin’s lower body, tenderly stroking him as though he a delicate and beloved accessory. Norrin could feel the pressure building within him, however there seemed to be no release in sight for him. His eyes shut in a desperate attempt to zero in on himself, and avoid the ever hungry gaze of his master. Galactus sighed, knowing the unintentional side effects of the power cosmic. Perhaps the greatest burden was that neither of them could ever truly feel satisfied.
Even with this knowledge, he persists. Eventually Norrin feels some sort of relief, not in the form of a resounding snap, but instead a dull breath. His eyes open again, and he stares at the ceiling of the ship for just a moment before turning his attention to Galactus. He does not smile when he props himself up on his elbows, instead Norrin examines him in taciturn silence. In his life he would have never even imagined something as awesome and all encompassing as Galactus, and now he cannot fathom life without him. Seeing that he was content, Galactus raised his palm to his shoulder, allowing Norrin to transfer over to a more stable but still close position.
Norrin now lounged comfortably on Galactus’ shoulder, listening to the rhythmic processes within the chamber and drifted off into a not quite sleep. The two sat in a contented silence as the vessel drifted through space, and while they were perhaps not happy, they were at least not alone.