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The night was cold,
That was the first thing Naib thought when he went to the manor's garden.
These few days, he had been feeling very somber. The matches were doing great and nothing was wrong. It was going swell even but--
The game is ending soon and somehow this sent cold chills down his spine.
What will happen when they went outside of the manor? Will they be able to live normally? Will they start fresh? Will they even get the prize they all desire?
For the small man, normal was a word that wasn't added inside his life's vocabulary. As a soldier, he constantly live and breathe under the adrenaline, the rush of zipping through life or death was a normal routine that if you take it away from Naib. He'll be useless.
Was what he thought.
Sighing, he let his feet take him to where it wanted to lead him. Roses of all sorts decorated the garden and in the middle, there was an old fountain that still functions. He wasn't alone it seems.
There by the fountain, was the prospector. Sitting down with one leg propped up while gazing up the sky. His eyes shimmered under the star light, taking Naib's breath away momentarily.
Beautiful.
"What are you doing out here late at night?"
He took a sit next to the other male.
"I could say the same thing for you."
Norton looked at him and by gods his eyes.
Naib had to turn away before he dragged deeper into those deep amber pool. Biting the inside of his cheeks, he was at loss at what to say.
"I take it you're antsy about the finale?"
He has Norton's full attention now directed towards him. He wasn't wearing his usual attire tonight. Just a simple tee and a pair of short pants. He noticed that Norton went outside barefooted too, he often does that from time to time. It was the little details that made Naib fall for the prospector.
With an awkward laugh, Naib rubbed the back of his neck then stare at nothing in particular.
"What's going to happen after the game? You gotta admit, none of us are going to be able to live normally after all that."
Norton hummed in agreement and swung his legs up the fountain ledge, hugging his knees close to his chest. He appeared frail and vulnerable.
"I have never thought of it. Along the way, I thought we will never get out from all this. I thought I was going to die half way but apparently I survived."
The man laughed but it sounded melancholic and it caught Naib's attention.
"I was hoping that I'd die."
Wha--
"Hey don't say that--"
"I was hoping I'd just die because it was what I deserve for being too selfish and ambitious."
Naib couldn't say anything, all that came out was the silence from his mouth so he closed it. Those eyes screamed regret and self disdain. He was familiar because it kept staring back at him whenever he stared at himself in the mirror.
"No one... Deserves to die Norton. Not even you."
He scooted closer towards the prospector. Norton's eyes seemed wispy and so far away from the present.
"... You know? I went inside there, the mine, knowing that my actions will lead these innocent people to die, knowing that it was a 50/50 situation. I knew that place was unstable. I knew that several are going to die in my hands and I was-- I didn't care about that. I didn't care if they all die. All I wanted was that precious loot."
Unconsciously, Norton rubbed on the scar that was forever etched on his face.
"The scars reminded me of how horrible I was back then. I may have came for the prize but as time goes on, the guilt just got heavier and I just wished I could just--"
"Enough."
The stern voice startled Norton out from his self pity and before he knew it, Naib grabbed him on the shoulder and pulled him close. A tight embrace.
"Stop that. I told you didn't I? You deserve a second chance for getting better. You've been good this whole time. Isn't that already a progress?"
Naib cupped his face and his thumb caressed the scar located on his face.
"Instead, remind yourself you've changed for the better, learn for the better. Please Norton never say that. You deserve happiness."
Norton was speechless. He didn't even realize the tears that came out from his eyes. Once it started he couldn't stop it and feeling pathetic, he hid his face against Naib's shoulder and sobbed. He cried for all the good people that didn't manage to get out, the people who he once work with, joke around with. He let it all out.
The mercenary wrap his arms tighter around him and letting the worn out man mourned. It pained him to see this.
After a while, Norton began to calm down, the hiccuping stopped and his cries reduced to only occasional sniffles.
"I'm sorry..."
His voice sounded a little off and croaky due to his nose being stuffy. He tried to wipe the tears but he was stopped by Naib, who was holding his wrists.
"No... No don't be..."
Lovingly, Naib closed in to kiss his tears away gently, one by one it vanished and nervously he peppered more kisses on his scar before pulling away, suddenly losing the confidence when he saw how stunned Norton was.
"I uhm--"
He couldn't say anything when Norton pulled him by his shirt and smacked his lips against Naib's own trembling one. It was short but it sent sparks to both parties.
Norton pulled away, feeling shy from that sudden burst of bravery. Blushing, he laid his forehead against Naib's own.
"I thought I was going to bring that secret down to my grave..."
The mercenary laughed softly and brought Norton closer. As close as two could get.
"I thought the same..."
Both of them giggled, high from the fact all along, their feelings for one another had been reciprocated.
"So it just takes one person to cry and spill out and then we kiss?"
"Apparently."
"What the hell Norton."
Once again they both laughed and nuzzle their noses together, giving each other eskimo kisses before closing in and closing the gap between the two. Norton clung onto him as Naib left him breathless and craving for more of kisses.
Now leaving the manor didn't look so bad after all. They may have a chance of living life normally.
Together.
The stars above gave them their blessings.