Chapter Text
Versailles showed the very wide difference between the noble and the lower class.
The excentric parties, with the foods, the drinks, the fireworks… Any of those parties would cost more than a lifetime of your salaries, someone of your status wouldn’t have the chance to see one, much less experience, the only allowed servants were highly trusted ones or some lower nobility, yet somehow you hit lottery and were allowed to attend as a personal servant.
In cases like this, you didn’t know if you should be glad or nor by your relationship with your employers, well it was more with their kids, a pair of twins you had chance to build a friendship, your mother was the personal maid of their mother, being so kind she would allow your mother to bring you to work, to be their kids playmate more or less, that friendship secured you a job position after your mothers passing, from which you were really thankful specially due your father's incompetence to bringing economic stability and in general, being present.
Though it did feel that instead of working like a servant, you were just a working as a weird mix of babysitter and entertainer, posing for Claude, playing Chess with Joseph, having to be a mediator during their very rare fights… Things like that, not like you were going to complain, any other noble wouldn’t have given you the chance, letting you starve on the streets doing God knows what, the times weren’t kind to those in need, sickness and hunger plaguing the streets, bony beggars, starving children, desperate parents and despair at any corner.
The party was just like any other, noisy and crowded, opting to stay close to Claude as Joseph was busy and surrounded, he was definitely going to end up black out drunk again.
Even though these parties would last for days or weeks, that didn’t mean people weren’t allowed to leave and rest, Claude had asked you to help him look for his brother as he didn’t see him for a worrying amount of time, thankfully didn’t take long as you found him passed out on a nearby sofa, a spilled cup of wine on the floor and a stain of the liquid on his shirt (God that would be a pain to clean).
You looked close at him, sigh, those twins were way too handsome for their own good, you should probably get Claude before he runs too far, you didn’t get the chance to do that as he grabbed your wrist, “... Is there anything I can do for you my lord?”
“How come off you hic never call me by my hic name?” Oh! You looked around, letting out a sigh of relief as you didn’t see anyone, seeing as he was not going to let you go you scooped closer sitting on the floor, “well… My lord, it’s not a really professional thing to d-”
“But hic you call Claude by hic his name” well he got you there, but you did refer to him as sir Claude, that’s what you did at first with Joseph too, but he expressed his disliking to that title so you just went for my lord.
“You don’t hic hate me right?”
“Why would I?”
“So hic you like me right?” You nodded, “more than Claude?” You couldn’t help to get slightly embarrassed, like no way he meant in that way, right? Like yeah, you did fancy the older brother, but you knew better than to try, so you always keep those feelings for yourself.
Thankfully, Claude saved you from answering, showing up before Joseph would try squeezing out an answer, much to your dismay Joseph ended blacking out, which meant that you and Claude had to end up dragging him back to the room.
He then woke up, instead of his room he was meet with the cold walls of the manor, slightly annoyed at the realization that the manor messed with his dreams again. He couldn’t help but miss those times.
Nights like those held a special place in Joseph’s memory, a sweet paradise with you, Claude and him. He really wished he had stayed in touch with you, till this day he never knew what happened to you after he left. Did you get married? Did you get any kids? Did you get to live a comfortable life?
He took a walk around the manor, he had matches later in the day so he preferred to relax for the current time, he bumped into Alva on the library, he talked about his matches and how there was a new survivor. While a new face was interesting, it wasn’t interesting enough for him, so he didn’t bother on asking more details, the conversation went on till he had to go to his matches so he left to prepare.
He started the match like always, maybe a mistake since he forgot to check the survivors, a part of him didn’t feel like trying much today, luckily for him, he got an early down, clumsy Memory didn’t notice him getting out of the camera, she had accidentally dropped her plush somewhere, he expected the other survivors to sell or save after half, and since no tinnitus he just did a quick search with the excuse of patrolling.
Memory happily accepted the plush back, tinnitus appearing short after, all odds on his side, if he acted smart enough he could stall the rescue and get Memory blasted.
“Joseph?” He snapped his neck so fast he swore he heard a crack, that voice was way too familiar for his liking, just like him, you looked like you haven't aged a single day, you were holding a lamp, he wishes he could just embrace you into a hug.
Oh how he missed you, there was a lot to catch up, like what you been up to, what happened after he left and- wait snapback, this was still the middle of the match, what if this just was the new survivor's ability, a part of him really didn't want you to see him this unprepared
Lost in thought he didn't notice tears threatening to spill out, he really underestimated his feelings, didn't he? Thankfully, he wasn't the only one affected by this reunion, as you didn't seem to be on a much better place, with tears already streaming down your face.
Poor Memory really wasn't understanding He was conflicted, frozen in place, a part of him wanted to hug you, to hold you, while the other was still considering this an illusion, like first officers watch, dilemma interrupted by the rocket chair blasting off, which meant that now he had the chance to confirm his suspicions… or that's what he would have liked. After you failed to rescue Memory your next move needed to be leaving, you used your ability, which consisted of blowing off the candle of your lamp, which would block the hunter's vision for a period of time, time that you used to run and hide.
Joseph was let alone with his thoughts, if that was the new survivor’s ability and they would had plenty of time to have rescued, but since the rescue failed it did point to you maybe being real… “Let’s just get over this”, he muttered to himself.
Seems that today was his lucky day, getting both Edgar and Vera down, with Vera later getting blasted off, that at least secured him a tie. Going back to camera world to look for you and the painter
He found you both decoding the same cipher, since he already had a tie he decided to lay back a little, getting closer to you, he leaned in, softly holding your face, with so much care, almost as if you were made off glass, he stared at your cheeks, would you notice if he left a kiss?
On the other side, ever so smart Edgar decided to check inside camera world to see if the hunter was nearby, going in just to be greeted by the lovely sight of Joseph holding and admiring you close by, to say he was dumbfounded was an underestimation, deciding that the best choice was simply left, he backed slowly making sure to be quiet- he dropped his paint brush....
Nothing more lovely than a healthy dose of eye contact, Edgar was stuck in between staying still or running, he observed his situation, carefully waiting for Joseph's next mo- the hunter has surrendered
Back in the manor, you walked around looking for the painter, more out of curiosity than anything, did he get Joseph to surrender out of pity or something? Plus, he didn't give any pings or anything. Your mind went back to the recent match, you were a lamp lighter, your ability consisted on blocking the hunter's vision for a certain amount of time... You were confused, why did Joseph change so much? It felt like his style did a 180 degree change... Did anything happen? And where was Claude? Lost in thought, you didn't notice yourself walking towards someone equally distracted.
Only thing saving you from your fall was the other person's fast reaction, as you were going to thank them you were meet with those always so familiar blue eyes... Wait what, taking an amount of mental power that you weren't aware you had just to not blush crazily or act skittish, when did his face get so close? You both stayed in place for a good chunk of time till you heard someone shout "get a room", which is when you both pulled away, " I'm sorry, I wasn't looking" he was the first one to speak "Ah, no it's fine- I mean it was also my fault" you replied, while you were internally panicking he was just staring at you, so beautiful, just like always.
With no warning he just pulled you into a hug, he held you tight, almost as if you were going to disappear at any moment, "I missed you" he whispered ".. A lot" he finished ".... It's been long, hasn't it?" You asked softly, to what he hummed in agreement, you just enjoyed each other's embrace in silent till once again someone screamed get a room, you were going to shout at him to shut up, but it seems that someone had beat you to it. Another hunter which you haven't seen, a long red dress with short white hair... She looked kinda familiar, but you weren't entirely sure of where.
With no warning he just pulled you into a hug, he held you tight, almost as if you were going to disappear at any moment, "I missed you" he whispered ".. A lot" he finished ".... It's been long, hasn't it?" You asked softly, to what he hummed in agreement, you just enjoyed each other's embrace in silent till once again someone screamed get a room, you were going to shout at him to shut up, but it seems that someone had beat you to it. Another hunter which you haven't seen, a long red dress with short white hair... She looked kinda familiar, but you weren't entirely sure of where.
Joseph held your hand "why don't we continue somewhere more private mon couer" without waiting a reply he swept you off your feet, carrying you bridal style to his room, ignoring the ooos heard around.