Exposure

Chapter 5

Aesop's POV

Aesop was horrified by what he'd done. What am I supposed to do? I can't run, the Feaster is outside but is Joseph really any better? These thoughts tumbled frantically through his head but none were put into action. He found himself looking around the room for an escape route. It was massive, it looked like Joseph had knocked down a wall to connect two rooms which made the whole thing the size of a small apartment. It had a massive king sized bed, multiple Victorian style cameras and photographs pinned all over the furthest wall from Aesop. He was too far away to see what was on them but it seemed that Joseph had made a point to be able to see the shapes of them from his bed, maybe he finds that comforting? Aesop wondered

By now, Joseph was grinning at the survivor with his chin resting in his hand
"Has that cat still got your tongue? Is it permanent? I would preferably like you to speak to you if you made all that effort to come and find me."
However, Aesop couldn't find his voice to respond. He eyed Joseph's sword that was balanced against the wall. Though it looked like just a glistening decoration, Aesop knew it could really deal some damage because Joseph knew exactly how to use it. Aesop felt the dull ache in his shoulder where Joseph had hit him last him and shivered slightly at the memory.

Joseph followed his eyes as he obviously wasn't going to speak and sighed softly when he saw what he was looking at,
"I'm not going to hit you." He said flatly "I don't have a reason to outside of matches. What are you here for?"
He asked, no longer playful but simply bored. Aesop looked over to him, surprised that he didn't have the insane bloodlust hunters did in matches. He gingerly stepped further into the room until he was an arms length away from Joseph's desk. He was still shaking from fear, his heart was jittery like it was in matches. That made him frustrated that he couldn't get a grip.
"I... came to ask about your cameras.
He finally explained at a mumble, his voice coming out even more muffled through his mask "I mean the people inside the cameras." He clarified, awkwardly shifting his weight from foot to foot.
Joseph smiled softly at him
"No need to be nervous. I don't bite outside of matches" he chuckled "They're called mirror images, I suppose they're like wax statutes. I assume it's their picture perfectness you're wondering about being the embalmer and all. Honestly, there's no secret to it and if there is I don't know it. It's simply a three dimensional photograph."
Joseph explained. Aesop listened, awe struck at how mesmerising his voice was, his words seemed to spill into the next as if his words were running water. Aesop felt exposed and pathetic that he was finding something as simple as a voice so attractive. But it was low and soft and comforting, Aesop found himself struggling to find the right words to describe how his voice made him feel.

This long pause made Jospeh tilt his head, his curls slipping over his shoulder and his bangs getting in his eyes,
"Are you alright? You look flushed. Did another hunter chase you here?"
He asked. Aesop shook his head in response and cleared his throat
"I'd like to know more, is that alright?"
He asked hopefully. Joseph's features flashed with surprise but quickly turned to one of 'What could go wrong?'. He chuckled softly and nodded
"If you'd like."
He responded. Aesop's smile could be seen in his eyes as his mouth was covered
"Go sit down, I'll get you something to drink." Joseph said, pushing himself up from his desk and disappearing into a door behind his bed. Aesop shuffled over to a couch and sat down. His heart was still racing but it felt like nervousness more than fear now.

Hours slipped away easily after the pair started talking. They talked about the survivors, hunters and cleared up long set rumours about either side. Joseph found most of the gossip about the hunters hilariously entertaining and inaccurate. They also talked about trivial things like what they did before they got here and what they wanted to do when they got out. Aesop didn't bring up that it was more than likely that they wouldn't get out at all. It was now getting dark outside, Joseph could tell Aesop was getting tired as his grip on his teacup loosened and his head dropped and lolled. Joseph sighed softly and tapped Aesop's shoulder
"Aesop... come now, you can't stay for the night."
Joseph said softly, moving stray hairs out of his eyes. Aesop mumbled and rubbed his eyes, looking over to Joseph with tiredness in his features
"Okay, I'm going."
Aesop said, not moving an inch. Joseph laughed quietly and lifted Aesop into his arms,
"You're in no shape to go back on your own. You'll be caught immediately at this rate." Joseph sighed softly and started to walk out the room "However, you cannot stay here. I'll carry you back."
He said. Aesop did not complain, he rested his head against Joseph's chest and let himself be carried. He could hear his heartbeat softly thumping in his chest. It was slow and steady unlike the survivor's heartbeats.

When Aesop opened his eyes again, Joseph was gently shaking him. They were in the survivor's half of the manor now, in the hallway with all the doors to the rooms. Since all their rooms were unlabelled, Joseph stood anxiously looking around and trying to find a blind spot to hide in until Aesop came to his senses,
"Oh... there's stairs at the end of this hallway, my room his up there."
He mumbled into his shoulder. Joseph nodded and swiftly carried him down the hallways and up the stairs. The coast was clear up there so Joseph didn't make the effort to tread lightly and test the floorboards beneath his feet.

Aesop's eyes flickered open when Joseph was gently laying him down on his bed. He chuckled, looking around the small room,
"I think my bathroom is bigger than this."
he teased. Aesop smiled sleepily and mumbled,
"Thank you... for today I mean. I know it's probably weird for you but I want to see you more..."
He said, his voice thick with sleep. He probably wouldn't have said that if he wasn't so tired but it was out in the open now. He didn't regret it at least. Joseph's features softened and he nodded,
"I'd love to keep you company."
He smiled and headed to the door. He looked back at Aesop and cleared his throat,
"Aesop? Come visit me tomorrow after matches too. I'd like that."
He said quietly. Aesop wished he could take a picture of Joseph in that moment. Aesop's curtains were open so the moonlight was spilling in and reflecting on his eyes, they were naturally glowing but in this light they looked like blue fire or light shining through ice. He looked as pale as a ghost, almost like an old Victorian portrait painting. Aesop smiled softly, thinking that it was not than likely that Joseph actually had a painting of him in that style,
"I will. I'll see you tomorrow, Joseph."
He whispered.