IdentityV - Oneshots

☁︎ Childish - Aesop x Reader

You skipped around the manors halls, passing a few of your peers in the process. They seemed to enjoy your presence as you always seen them smile around you. You never understood the countless warm hugs your friends would give you, and how they always seemed to make you their top priority in that ominous game of tag.

No, you didn't know what on earth a 'hunter' was, or why the word was uttered around the manor so often. That was because... you were a strange case. You were around the age of most of them, your early twenties, however there was not a hint of darkness in your eyes or in your mind. You were lucky, and grew up with decently wealthy parents who loved you to the moon and back. So naturally, your mother and father kept you tucked in their nest, and away from the outside world. You didn't know a thing about money, or work, or whoever was voted to be the next mayor in town. You didn't care. All that mattered to you was your family, and if you were with them, was there anything in life you needed to fear? You never knew.

Though one day, your mother seemed unsure of your state. She thought she was keeping you safe by locking you away in the house, and having your father buy you almost anything you wanted. But instead she came to the realization, that one day, she and your father would die. Where would that leave you? Alone and clueless. So she sent you off on a train and very detailed directions, perhaps worry of you getting lost overcoming her as she wrote down the steps. Then before you knew it, here you were. A normal place, when you played games with your new found friends. But you often questioned why you could never be 'it'.

"Hello (Y/n)!" Fiona came up and walked with you as you also greeted her. "We're going to play tag later again, you've been selected this time." She gave you a sweet smile, and you hummed. "Really? That'll be fun! I haven't played in a few days..." You were upset you had to be chosen in order to play, you would gladly volunteer which you heard was an option before, however everyone declined that idea for you.

She handed you a list of everyone's names who would participate. Usually there were three selected and one who could play or not, as long as there was a volunteer. You were gleeful at the sight of your name underlined in red, as no one could fill in for you. You wondered how everyone liked you so much, but the second you were eligible for a swap out everyone would raise their hand so you couldn't even play.

As your eyes skimmed the list you couldn't help but feel your stomach flip. "Aesop's going?" You asked with a weary tone and she nodded. "You don't really like him?" She questioned, but you quickly shook your head. "It's not that! He just seems really-... cold." The horned girl smiled. "Aesop is hm, very professional? I'm not sure how to put it. I think your just uneasy around him because he's the complete opposite of you. But he means no harm, I promise."

You felt relieved at her words before looking back down the hall. You haven't ever really conversed with Aesop. Not after the first time you spoke to each other. You were just curious of him, because he wasn't like the others. He never tried to hold you, or choose on what was best for you. He didn't care. So much so, that when you asked of his occupation, he didn't hesitate to tell you about death and the use of tools you would use on a corpse.

You swore your eyes almost shot out of your head when he started speaking. His tone was different, and his words were different. No ones ever spoke to you like that, like... an adult. To be completely honest, you felt like you were an official adult, but there was so much you didn't know that it would be hard to believe had anyone on the outside came to see you.

So although you were intrigued beyond reason of him, you were also fearful. All that he said that day was already enough for you to shake at the sight of him. So what else could he tell you, that the others so desperately hid from you. You weren't a complete idiot, you knew how everyone treated you, but you never found a problem with it. It was only when meeting Aesop did your views quickly change course.