The air was dry and warm, the sun was setting over the manor. Aesop had just finished his last game for the day. He quickly rushed through the crowd of worried survivors awaiting his arrival. Aesop ignored all the survivors calling his name and asking if he was okay. He burst into his room and slammed the door and threw his makeup box on the floor. He looked at himself in the mirror. His clothes were filthy, covered with dirt and blood. This was the fourth time this week that Aesop got a match with Joseph. Today was his fourth time bleeding out this week too. He's pretty much used to it. Ever since Aesop joined the manor Joseph has shown him no remorse and bleeds him out any chance he gets. Of course it hurts alot but Aesop will never forget the first time he encountered him.
Flash back:
One day Aesop was tending to his work, embalming a young woman. Amongst her belongings he found an invitation. To show his respect for the deceased he followed the address on the envelope to explain to whoever sent it that the woman had passed away. When he arrived he was greeted by a manor surrounded by an iron fence. When he entered the manor he was held down by Naib and forced to disclose his name and occupation. Soon after he was told he could never leave the manor. The fear he felt in that moment was nothing compared to how he felt when he got his first game call. He hid for as long as he could avoiding the photographer but it was no use, he eventually encountered him. The conversation they had about Aesop wanting to experience death. The burning sensation each time the sword pierced his body. He remembers how his vision went hazy and he slowly started to see the light. With his last bit of strength he made sure to flash the Photographer a smile. Soon he was consumed by warm light when he drew his last breath. He felt like he was floating . That all came crashing down when he felt like he was falling. He opened his eyes just to be back in the manor. That's when he realized he can never escape.
Now:
Aesop shook the thought from his head and ran himself a bath. He stripped himself of his dull grey outfit before looking in the mirror. His back and chest were covered in scars from various hunters. Some were lighter while some were darker, some were jagged while others were smooth. The scar that stood out the most was the one of his ribs. It was raised and lighter than his skin tone. It was the spot where Joseph had stabbed him the first time. He sighed and ran his fingers along the scar. He was so focused on the scars that he forgot the water was still running. He quickly turned the water off before getting into the bath. The hot water pricked his skin but nonetheless he sank down into the water till his nose was just above the water. He closed his eyes for what seemed like five minutes but in reality it was forty five minutes. He looked out of the bathroom window, the sun had set and the lights from the garden were illuminating the night sky. Aesop quickly washed the dirt and grime off his hair and body.
Once he was out of the bath he started thinking about what he wanted to do for the evening. He pulled out a white button up and a pair of black pants. He threw the pants on and began buttoning his shirt until he saw the scar on his ribs again. He suddenly felt angry. Why did Joseph hate him so much? What did he do to deserve this type of treatment?
He decided to confront Joseph.He quickly finished getting dressed. He grabbed a mask and left his room. It's not uncommon for survivors to visit hunters, Eli and Boy (lucky guy) go visit Robbie and play tag with him almost every night, Andrew visits Antonio for violin lessons and Most of the female survivors hang out with Michiko and Mary.
Aesop moved quickly through the manor trying to avoid anyone who wasn't Eli, Naib, Helena or Norton. Aesop finally made it to the garden. He made sure to politely wave at everyone he came across. He noticed that Joseph wasn’t in the garden which meant he was in his room. Aesop made his way into the hunters side of the manor. Thanks to Helena, Aesop knows pretty much where all the hunters rooms are since she always hangs out with Mary. Aesop made his way to Joseph's room. He stood outside of the door, he could hear classical music from the otherside. He put his hand up to knock but he hesitated. He couldn't figure out why though. Hunters can't injure survivors outside of games. He shook his head a bit. He knocked loud enough to be heard over the music. The music paused and the door opened.
“What are you doing here?” Joseph asked, his thick accent filling Aesop's ears.
Aesop pulled his mask down so he didn't sound muffled.
“I just wanted to know, why do you hate me so fucking much? Ever since I got to this manor you have done nothing but treat me like shit. You literally do nothing but cause me pain. I've done nothing to you but exist…” Aesop rambled on and on.
Joseph was getting angry. How could someone so selfish and careless be sitting here in front of him asking why he hates them? He grabbed Aesop by the throat and pulled him into the room and slammed him against the wall. Aesop gasped loudly upon impact.
“Listen here, Aesop. I don't know why you're here asking me why I hate you.”
He tightened his grip on Aesop's throat causing Aesop to press his lips together tightly.
“You have no disregard for your own life. I could've killed you that day and you didn't care. You only get one life and you decide to throw death around like it's a joke. It's not a joke to me Aesop.” Joseph let go of Aesop.
Aesop didn't know what to feel. He was about to speak until he noticed Joseph was crying. Joseph didn't think someone so heartless could cry. Aesop took a step towards him.
“I don't understand. Death only takes. It never gives back. I don't understand why a young man like you is willing to throw his whole life away just to get nothing in return” Joseph said, his voice now shaking.
Aesop didn't know what to do other than hug him. He wrapped his arms around the taller man. He felt him stiffen up but soon relaxed into his arms. Aesop knows he must've lost someone close to him. But this doesn't explain why he hurts him so much. He wants answers.
“Why do you hurt me like this, Joseph?”
Joseph felt guilty. He hugged Aesop a bit tighter. He knows what he will say can never erase what he's done to him. It can't erase the past, It can't erase the pain and scars but, it can change future interactions between them. He ran his hand through aesop's hair.
“I was jealous of you. You seem to handle death so easily. I envy you for that. I wish it didn't have an impact on me like this. I wish I could just move on. I know this isn't a good reason for anything I've done. I'm so sorry, Aesop. I wish i could go back in time and fix it. I wish i could've been nicer to you when we first met. I wish-”
Aesop grabbed his face.
“Hey, it's okay.” Aesop said, wiping the tears from Joseph's face.
“I understand that it's a very touchy subject. You're not the only one who's been mean to me. Yes this won't erase what has happened but i appreciate the gesture. Lets make our future interactions better. I hope we can grow together and become good friends.”
Joseph smiled and nodded.
The two hugged once more.
“I have to go but I'll see you around. Aesop said with a small smile.
He started heading out before turning back and grabbing Joseph's face again. He hesitated for a second but he went for it and pressed a small kiss to Josephs cheek.
“Okay I'm leaving for real now.” Aesop said with a giggle before walking out.
Joseph stood there in awe. He felt blush creep onto his face.
““We really need to get close now.”
-end-
