soulmates lovers and other useless human relations

xvi

[A/N: I wanna make a story for Naib about the reader having amnesia. It's mostly humor though but idk if people will like it. Also got back into idv tonight, the amount of people that recognized me is terrifying.]

Norton never believed Aesop was the antagonist of his story, on the contrary, Norton thought Aesop was the well deserved love interest whom in the end got his happily ever after with the main character. It's not like he liked the man as an independent factor - sure they got along well, but with the vast difference in personalities and overall interests, he couldn't say Aesop was a man who he would get along with.

But he loved you, and he made you happy. It took a while for Norton to realize that; that was enough.

He'd watch as you and Aesop would walk around the manor, hands intertwined together with no space for anything in between. It was just you and him. You'd laugh at something he'd say and he would smile, he'd watch as your face would scrunch up and a loud fit of laughter would spill from your lips. Norton could only dream of making you laugh that hard.

Aesop didn't have looks that one would die for. He was pretty average looking - if anything he was cute - and he was pretty lean with little to no muscle. During matches, Aesop would depend more on his strategies and agility over his strength when kiting a hunter. Despite this, he was sweet, and caring, and loyal.

Perhaps Norton had missed his chances at living his happily ever after ever since his first night at the manor, when he had brushed off your friendly attempts at making conversation. Or maybe he lost that chance the first night he decided to annoy you instead of talking to you - because with the loud, obnoxious banging of his heart against his rib cage, his judgement could not be made for the better.

He felt like a stupid teenage boy with a crush. The type of boys who would bully the person they like, thinking that if they 'joke around' with them enough then maybe they'd look forward to seeing him every day. Maybe he'd get some reaction that others would not - whether that be positive or negative.

So now, sat across you and Aesop at the dinner table, watching him whisper something into your ear as your free hand shot up over your mouth to stifle your laughs, he felt that same inner turmoil that he had been growing familiar with. He felt it was a blessing to see you so happy - something that he doubted he could make you feel - but he also wished to be the one beside you, the one to hold your hand and kiss the knuckles.

He wanted to fall asleep knowing you were safe in his arms, he wanted to go to the library and read books together, he wanted to chase you around the manor - the two of you laughing like children. And for once, he wanted to feel that miracle of reciprocated love.

But with Aesop interlocking his hand with yours, a wide, love struck grin growing on your lips - he convinced himself he was fine. He convinced himself to bite back those bitter feelings.

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"Norton?"

In the safety of the four walls that made up Norton's room, the prospector sat on his bed - a sketchbook with a pencil decorated with nothing but bite marks sitting in his hands. The male didn't turn away from his drawing, instead calling out an 'uh-huh?' To whoever had decided to pay him a visit on his Wednesday afternoon. Having finished his daily match early - he figured some alone time wouldn't hurt. And with the view he got of the garden from his window, he couldn't help but want to draw the familiar scenery.

The dark wooden door creaked a little before being pushed open, Mike's face peeking into the room. Over the time of their stay, Mike was probably the closest person to the cold prospector. With their clashing personalities, they were able to find a sort of balance within each other.

Still, Norton couldn't help but lock eyes with the boy and groan, throwing his head back as an amused smile took over the lips of the acrobat.

"Mike." Norton cheered sarcastically, putting his pencil down to grab the eraser - fixing the mistake on his page. "What can I do for ya buddy?"

The blonde sighed in an exaggerated manner. His body flopped onto the mattress of the prospector making it bounce - Norton looking away from his drawing to glare at the blonde. "I'm bored!" He said innocently.

"And why would I need to know that?"

"Because we're friends!" The acrobat argued, propping himself up on his elbows, his arms sinking into the mattress. "Let's go do something. The sun is still out and it's warm - we could go play something outside."

"Uh-huh?" Norton hummed, only half listening to his companion. His concentration was stuck onto the drawing, and the drawing only. "And what exactly do you wanna play?"

"I don't know. Maybe we could ask William to teach us rugby."

"Isn't rugby like- a really violent sport?"

Mike shook his head. "Nah, we could play like touch or something. One that doesn't involve tackling."

Norton hummed, moving his pencil to sketch the trunks of the trees that surrounded the manor. Truly, as much as he wanted to stay and finish the drawing, he too agreed that spending the entire day inside would be a waste of such a lovely day. Slowly, he shifted so he could carefully place his book and pencil down, turning to look down at the blonde who's head innocently rested over his folded arms.

"Alright, let's play touch." Norton mused, watching as Mike jumped up and cheered. "But we're going to need more than three people."

Mike grinned mischievously, throwing two finger guns at the prospector. "I'm on it. Meet you outside in twenty minutes!"