Photographic Memory

Sunrise

By the time Aesop woke up to the sunlight coming through the window, Joseph was still asleep, breathing peacefully. It calmed his heart to see him like this, after the scare the day before. He caressed his hair and watched as his lover leaned into his touch in his rest.

He figured he would spoil his a bit. Breakfast in bed would be is courtesy.

The embalmer merely fixed up the shirt he had on and went downstairs where his teammates were already reunited. Since he was late, they had started eating without him.

"Aesop! Finally! What took you so long?" William greeted.

"I overslept." He responded briefly.

The survivors weren't going to question him until he picked up two plates of food. Everyone was stunned. Mainly Emily, she looked at him like the world had turned upside down.

"You didn't even eat properly before, now you're eating two portions?!"

Aesop shrugged while balancing both plates on both of his hands.

Servias chuckled loudly. He looked right into Aesop's eyes and, without looking away, told his friend: "Don't be so naive, Emily."

Emily was perplexed for a second. It wasn't as clear for her as it was for the magician.

Servais winked at the embalmer and gestured him to go away, hurry up as his lover should be waiting by then. Most of the group was confused, but the ones who weren't had a sly grin on their faces.

Aesop made his way to the bedroom only to find Joseph out of bed, buttoning up his shirt that had unclasped during his sleep.

"You're up." The survivor stated while placing the plates on the bedside table.

The photographer rose his head, still focusing on his buttons. "I am." He smiled. "Good morning, dear."

Joseph walked up to the shorter man and kissed him. "I appreciate the thought," He said, looking at the meal waiting for them. "But I really need to get back to my manor right now."

"Already?" Aesop sounded disappointed.

The hunter hesitated. "I have to talk to Michiko... Apologize to her."

"Apologize for what?"

Joseph pulled him into a hug. "She is right, Aesop. I'll be obligated to hurt you over and over until the end of this game."

The embalmer pulled his face away from the man's chest. "We've done this for months, the matches and... us are totally different things. I understand I might be more important than becoming a billionaire, but I'm not as important as the reason you want to earn this money. And that's ok."

"But you're becoming just as important."

Aesop felt flattered but hurt at the same time. He hid his face against his chest again. "You know I can't help you with your... past, right? I don't even know how I brought you back."

Joseph let out a sad giggle. "Aesop, the last thing I want you to do is worry about that. If it wasn't clear enough, I'll spell it out now: I'm not with you because I want you to resurrect my dead brother." He placed his hand on the embalmer's chin and looked at him kindly. "Understood?"

He watched him nod.

"Sorry... I guess it was a sensitive subject to bring up..."

"Yes, yes it was. But it's you, so I don't mind."

They stood like this for a little while longer, feeling each other's heartbeat, Aesop feeling devastated for making his lover uncomfortable.

Joseph, however, kissed his forehead and asked cheerfully: "Since we won't be on the early match, want to sneak out into the hunter's manor?"

Aesop chuckled. "Fine, just eat something first, all right?"

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Now it's over ;^;

Please read the following chapter, somethings are waiting for you there ♡