A Man for Himself (Norton X Eli) [Identity V] *UNEDITED*

Chapter 29 - After Sunset

But Eli hadn't visited him since that night.

Norton had to stay in the infirmary for a week and spend a few more days idling around in his room since he wasn't allowed to participate in any match while recovering. He would only come out to eat and come back to his room to rest. It was monotonous, but it's not like he wanted to stay in his room all day.

Those slow, unproductive days had no Eli. He waited, but the seer never came for him. He could not even catch a glimpse of Eli whenever he went outside for food. It was like the seer was proactively avoiding him. It made Norton wonder if he had done anything wrong. It did not make any sense. Eli had promised to visit him.

Did Eli finally realize how foolish he had been acting and change his mind? Was Naib stopping Eli from visiting him? Was it really important for Eli to visit him?

Norton had never imagined that he would be longing for Eli's company. It was unlike of him to miss anyone. He had only wanted Eli for himself to secure his prize, his victory, and his pride. Seeking Eli for comfort was out of the question; yet there he was, yearning for the seer's presence and physical contact. It was ridiculous and unbelievable, but he was getting attached to the seer.

How was Eli able to make him feel that way without doing anything? If anything, Eli had been keeping his distance from Norton until recently. Did Eli get close to him for a reason? Did Eli do it to get back at him for the awful things that Norton had done?

"Why look so gloomy? Shouldn't you be happy that you finally got Eli to reciprocate your advances?" Aesop asked flatly.

Norton was on his last day of being excused from his matches. Physically, he was fine; but mentally, he was drained after spending the past few days anticipating his next encounter with the seer after the night at the infirmary. He was not sure what to expect.

The prospector was writing down in his diary when the embalmer entered the room. The gray-haired male donned a butler suit with remnants of cake on his clothes as though he had escaped from a food fight. Norton had expected the embalmer to come and go like he usually did as if he did not have a roommate at all, but today was different. Aesop talked. Hearing the embalmer speak after a long time surprised the prospector and had him wondering what made Aesop think that Norton was worth his time.

"How did you know?" Norton shut his diary close and straightened up in his chair, turning his attention to the embalmer.

"I hope you're only pretending to be dumb." Aesop drawled, rolling his eyes. "Of course, people will know. You're trying to fuck Eli in the infirmary. It's Eli Clark, everyone's favorite seer. Think about that." As he talked, he took off his suit and carefully unbuttoned his white button-down.

"Is that why he's avoiding me?" Norton was barely aware of his expression brightening up.

Aesop snapped his fingers and smiled at the prospector, an obviously forced and mocking smile. "You got it. Aren't you as sharp as a marble?" He walked over to his closet and started sifting through his clothes.

Norton wouldn't have let Aesop's snarky comments slip, but the relief of finding out the possible reason behind Eli's absence was enough for him to brush them off.

"It's been more than a week since that happened. I'm sure the story has died down by now. Do you think Eli will still avoid me?" Norton asked, trying to suppress the excitement in his voice.

Aesop turned to look at him and raised a brow, his mouth slightly agape. "Am I talking to Norton Campbell? You sound like a lovestruck adolescent." Disgust made itself apparent on the embalmer's visage. "I encounter hunters everyday. I deal with the dead, yet you still manage to creep me out."