don't rescue me

salvus » embalmer | aesop carl x reader

big spoon reader insert, little spoon aesop if u can't imagine the picture bc i also honestly don't think i wrote it quite well lol

c/w: dead body mention/s, cuddling, soft aesop, character introspection

the embalmer could never imagine getting used to your presence. the feather-light grazes of his fingers against your skin sent electricity up his nerves, feeling the warmth emanating from you. he was so used to handling cold, dead bodies; never knew this is how it feels to hold and to be held tenderly.

he could be shaking so hard at this very moment, but he desperately held himself together, afraid of unsettling you. it was nerve-wracking for him, even though you had established that you could be a safe space for him, and he was slowly giving in.

you remain motionless, laying there with him in your embrace, afraid that he'd perceive any of your touch as something akin to pressure, or you forcing him on anything. you wanted him to be comfortable. to be peaceful. in a new light unlike the "peace" that was wrongly taught to him, and understood by him.

however, your body's sudden rigidity did not go unnoticed by aesop — what with his senses focused on nothing but you the whole time. it confused him, because contrary to your warmth, why were you suddenly so stiff?

it reminded him of the cadavers he usually handled — and that spiked fear in him. internally panicking, his eyes shot up to look at yours, widening again caught in another surprise: he found your gaze so tranquil, resting on his shoulder. he was honestly befuddled; but he realized that your breathing was the same anyway, and your peaceful eyes entranced him, unconsciously wearing his worries away.

feeling a heavy stare on you, you turned your head to the embalmer in your hold, catching him red-handed. sparing a small smile, you asked, "something bothering you?"

to which he answered with an equally timid voice, "no, it's nothing. sorry," having said that, you felt his grip on your waist tighten though, and the evident lean he took closer in your hold, cuddling up to you. with that, you chose not to speak further, lying quietly with him.

it did not bring an awkward silence, no; it was comforting. aesop was reassured. he found himself trying to match the pace of your breathing. his heart thrummed, a subtle ache blossoming in his chest. it reminded him that he's alive — but in this manner, he quite liked it.

i wrote this before the disaster of a revelations his birthday letter was . i was not the same person since it dropped.