Itwas another sleepless night for one Aesop Carl. Lately, he has been having trouble sleeping. He'd ought to be very very tired by the time Morning arrived. Naib and their friends had grown worried too. Before, Aesop would be the one waking them up, but now they were the ones on that duty. He would arrived at the dining hall disheveled.
This didn't escape Leo either, his father had allowed him to sleep during his free time and his sparring sessions have been reduced to at least twice a week on any day of his choice when he felt better.
Eli had been sending his Owl every night to guard Aesop. Evident by the feathers that are left scattered by his window, and when he does catch the owl visiting him. He would ruffle the Owl's feather's as his thoughts ran wild. He couldn't forget what Helena had said. At first he didn't care, but the more time passed, the more fear started to grip at his heart. "Do you think something is going to happen?" He asked Eli's owl who only looked at him. "I'm scared." Aesop acknowledged this fact, but he couldn't help but laugh at his irrationality.
Why did he believe Helena so quickly, they'd just met then, but he couldn't really see her lie to him either. I want to see her again Aesop thought, maybe he'd get answers then. "Good night little owl." Aesop said, kissing the top of it's head before praying that he succumbs to peaceful sleep.
When morning came, he felt sluggish. Tired from the lack of sleep he's being subjected to. The strange dream he had immediately left his memory, but the feeling stayed. He felt shivers run down his spine. A cold chill in his body and a strange feeling gripping his heart. "Little flower?" A mellow voice rang. Aesop looked up to see Joseph peer in. Despite the fact Aesop might as well be naked as the day he was born, only hidden by the fact the sheet was tangled with him, he didn't care about how Joseph saw him. Perhaps he wasn't fully awake yet.
"G-good morning Jos—" Aesop whispered, but a sudden yawn cut him off. A look appeared in Joseph's eyes, but it disappeared as soon as it came. "Good morning little flower, come, let's get you ready." Joseph wrapped Aesop further into his sheets before carrying him to bathe. Aesop accepted the gesture, if it was any other normal day, he might've kicked Joseph out of embarassment, but he didn't have the strength too. After laying him down, He took one of the clothes Aesop usually wears, a simple white garment and belt and returning back to see Aesop already starting to soak in. As he washed Aesop's hair with water, he could see Aesop fall asleep, so his movement became more gentle.
This felt familiar to him. How could he not? He'd done this before to another.
"Joseph? Wash my hair for me will you?"
"Of course my beloved!"
"H-hey! That tickles Joseph! Stop it stop it!"
"Ah! But didn't you tell me to wash your hair for you V—"
"Joseph?" A small voice spoke. He looked down to see Aesop looking at him sleepily. "Up up" his voice still gravelly. Joseph's thoughts dispersed and he smiled, taking Aesop out of the bath. "Here." He said, giving Aesop his usual garment. He would've been the one to dress Aesop himself but he's invaded enough privacy he thinks; he didn't missed the small whining noise Aesop made though.
When Aesop came out with his Garment worn and Belt settled, all that was left was his hair. He took the ribbon Aesop frequently used and wrapped it around his hair, and to finish everything up, he took his own flower and slipped it in Aesop's hair. "Let us eat, Naib is waiting for you." Joseph said as he lead Aesop to the dining hall. The sleep that seemed to seep away from Aesop worried Jospeh to no end. He had an idea to combat this.
"Aesop, go ahead, I'll there by sparring." Joseph said as he left. Aesop sighed, and dragged himself to the dining hall. "Good morning." He said quietly as he sat by Naib's table. "Yo, still cant sleep 'Sop?" Naib asked, patting Aesop back as he ate in small tid bits. Aesop hummed. "What if you drink milk?" William suggested.
"Tried"
"Reading?"
"Tried"
"Tiring yourself out?"
"Tried."
"Pray?" Eli pitched in. Aesop looked at him curiously. What. "I don't think praying to the Gods will work Zeph." Aesop muttered defeatedly. As they chattered, another suggestion came up.
"Music?" William, Naib, Aesop and Eli looked to see Joseph grinning. "I don't thin—" "My, music." Joseph emphasized. Aesop thought about it, perhaps. "That could work ye? Try it 'Sop." Naib agreed with the suggestion. Lullabies are nice but they are not his thing, for Aesop maybe.
"Okay." Aesop gave a small smile at Joseph. Not really believing it could work, but still thankful for the suggestion. Time seemed to slow down as he did. The sun became almost unbearable as they walked to their usual spot. When they finally reached their most favorite place in the woods, Aesop promptly plopped down in the soft green grass. Breathing in, and breathing out as he gathered his thoughts where Chaos reigned undisturbed.
"Will you be alright there 'Sop?" Naib asked Aesop as he watched him trying his best to focus on the present. "I will be.. I promised." Aesop whispered softly, already knowing that in a few minutes he will be sucked in a dreamless, but nightmarish sleep. "If you say so, Hollar if you need us okay?" William looked back, before leaving Aesop in Eli's and Joseph's care.
The two watched as Aesop seemed to zone in and out. "Come on, let's get Hyacinth in a better posture. Wouldn't want him to wake up with his back aching." Eli uttered the last one so quietly, that had Joseph not been listening, he wouldn't have caught it. Although both of them are aware of the apparent dislike of the other and vice versa, this disappears the moment Aesop is in the vacinity.
Joseph and Eli worked on letting Aesop lay down fully on the grass. Eli rid himself of his robe, and used it to make Aesop a makeshift blanket to lie in. "I don't wanna sleep yet." Aesop whispered, eyes lidded, staring into Eli's form. Eli smiled, treading his fingers through Aesop's hair, "cinth, you need to sleep."
"But, I don't want to wake from a dream I'll forget." Aesop cried, sighing as he felt as though his body was turning to stone. "You won't have bad dreams little flower." Joseph assured him, smiling as he did. Aesop looked up to him saying,
"Promise?"
"Promise."
With that, Aesop accepted his sleep. Joseph and Eli waited until Aesop's breathing became stable before.. well,
"Joseph?" He looked to see Eli giving a small smile, pointing towards another part pf the woods saying, "let's talk." Joseph looked hesitant, Eli's smile didn't look geniune to him, then looked at Aesop's sleeping form, "do you think It'll be a good Idea to leave Aesop? Hmm?" Eli looked at him, acknowledging the problem before whistling. Suddenly, an owl swiftly landed by Eli's arm. "Protect him." The owl accepted and perched itself by a tree directly above Aesop's form. "Satisfied?" "Hm." Joseph hummed.
The two walked further into the woods. The light green leaves becoming more and more viridian with each step.
"What do you want with Aesop, Joseph."
It was awkward silence after that question. The tension so thick, Joseph could prolly cut it using his sword. "I want to be his friend of course." He answered honestly, but was it really the full truth?
"I don't believe you"
"I've noticed."
"You've clung to Aesop since day one, how can I be sure you won't hurt him!" Eli growled at him. Joseph smirked, "Easy now, you've asked me questions, how about we answer mine; what's with you an your infatuation with Aesop? Hmm?" Eli's eyes grew wide, he composed himself as best as he could, saying with certainty "I am not infatuated with him. He deserves more than that and you know it."
Joseph smiled at Eli, "Touché, you and I know that very well." "So you admit it?" "It seems I have." "Then who are you really? 'Joseph Desaulnier' "
Joseph looked as Eli stared at him through his blindfold. I can't read him, he thought so he gambled his answer. "I am just a simple wanderer that wanted to try becoming a warrior, the real question is, who is the real, Real, Eli Clark."
Joseph stepped forward, slowly invading Eli's privacy, "hmm perhaps perhaps, a stowaway from a different place? A prince from another island? Or perhaps.—" Joseph grins sardonically.
"Or perhaps an Orpha—"
"Shut up!" Eli screamed, covering his ears. Despite the invasion of space, Eli stood his ground. The result Joseph wanted seemed to have had somewhat achieved it, but he never expected this reaction to this extreme. "Who are you to talk of my past! Who are you to question those I care about! Who are you to—" Eli suddenly stopped, the silence was defeaning. Joseph looked at Eli as he seemed to suddenly get lost in his head.
Concern grew in Joseph's heart, so he asked him, "are you okay?" Instead, he got an angry look thrown at him. Eli said nothing, breathing in and out yet again to compose himself. Eli looked back, eying Joseph. Eli, he did something strange. He removed the blindflod that hid his eyes. He stared directly into Joseph's eyes, uttering,
"Don't follow me."
So he watched as Eli, walked further and further into the woods, no doubt he'll get lost in that hellish labryinth. That wasn't the causw of his concern however. Eli's eyes. His eyes weren't his. Joseph could only do as Eli instructed even though he wasn't affected one bit. The way his blue eyes flashed a familiar pair of eyes he'd seen before, stunned him.
"Damn you Hastur."
So, Eli is a blessed, and one close to his uncle no less. This only complicated things. He can only hope he doesn't anger him. That man, hastur, has never given anyone else his blessing in many mamy years. What's changed? What exactly did Eli offer to get the gifts of Poseidon?
Joseph can only sigh and ponder how deep he's gotten himself into. The hold Aesop has on him is terrifying, but something he doesn't think he would be bothered with at all. A hoot suddenly came from another side of the woods. Joseph looked at the bird's direction to see Eli's owl flailing around, obviously looking for it's Master.
Joseph raised his hand, hoping the lovely bird might perch on it, but instead she decided to perch on a literal tree branch as she should. "Should I be offended or not." Joseph said, but the owl only responded by it's cries. She hoots and attempts to point Joseph in one direction, that could only mean one thing.
"Aesop!"
Joseph rushed back, as quickly as he could, to the direction both him and Eli used when they entered the woods. The moment he arrived, he could see the sweat dripping from Aesop's forhead and neck. The way he trembled and cried in his sleep made a part of his heart Crack. It was clear to him that Aesop, was suffering from night terrors. Daily night terrors.
Joseph quickly turned out a small pouch that he hid under his belt. The small pounch contained the one thing he needed the most, a small turtle shell.
It maybe be just a turtle shell but that's not what made special. Carefully, Joseph places it in the palm of his hand, and let's it bathe in sunlight. Suddenly, the real item was shown.
From his hand, he carried his most favorite instrument of all, The elegant lyre that Hermes had traded years back. Carefully he strums the strings of the lyre in a gentle manner. He remembered the tune he played back when he first met his flower, and decided to transition.
Like then, everything seemed to slow down to listen. It grew quiet, only for his melody to be heard. Aesop responded wonderfully. He no longer cried ir rustled in his sleep, instead he lay peacefully. His song had calmed the screams in the youth's mind and the turmoil in his heart. With that he slept peacefully after his encounter with the blind woman Helena.
Joseph continued to play, pouring a piece of himself into it as he did. Perhaps this was another way he could continue to help him. When he reached a dead end, he rested his fingers and looked at Aesop again. The ribbon he had tied earlier had already loosen, releasing his hair. The flower still somewhat attached albeit in an awkward manner. He was messy he looked tired. He looked very pale and near sickly, but he didn't mind.
He just loved the feeling he gets whenever he sees Aesop smile, or his cute stammer whenever they talked. The shy demeanor that hadn't faded no matter how close they got. His traits and mannerism, everything about him Joseph grew to love. He knows he's not alone in this notion, but he won't give him up.
The God may be scared to love again, but he's willing to change fate if it makes them stay.
"Beautiful." He uttered, a big smile gracing his face as he caressed the youth's cheeks reverently. However, a strange rustle in the bushes caught his attention. He turned around, and faced it. It looked normal, but it didn't feel like it. He got closer, and closer until—
"Yo! Joseph!"
Joseph looked to his right to see William waving his hand around like an idiot. "Shush!" Joseph gestured, showing Aesop sleeping peacefully. William smiled, and it grew even bigger when his eye caught sight of the lyre Joseph held. He couldn't help but giggle strangely, hapy with the fact the lyre is in tact. Joseph just looked at him incredulously, but ultimately, he was satisfied from today's events.
Unbeknowst to them, Aesop was somewhat awake during their talk. His eyes wwre barely open, but he looked at Joseph's direction. Smiling delicately he said,
"So it was you back then."
rAIne notes
Hi, let me edit my grammar next week if I have time. And I hope I'll be able to write more.