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Aiden didn’t mind The Bazaar too much. He was more or less a welcome and common face by now. He could however do without all the praise thrown his way. Besides the fact that he didn’t do what he did for the praise and acknowledgment, he didn’t like how fake it all felt. One day he was being shat on for simply existing in the presence of the Bazaar’s populace, the next they were kissing his ass like it would get them favours. To make matters worse, on this particular day, Hakon was with him. Which could only mean one thing. He was gonna get shit for it.
As the pair walked through, the usual comments were thrown around, all fake pandering to his ego. He chanced a glance at Hakon, and was not surprised in the slightest to see the shit eating grin plastered on his face. Fucking asshole. Neither spoke until reaching the little alcove Aiden usually crashed in. It was then, as Aiden gathered some things he’d left there for safekeeping, that Hakon sat down on the mattress and spoke. “Wow Kid, I had no idea I was friends with a local celebrity”. His tone was thick with teasing, making the younger man scowl at him before going back to packing. “And to think, what, barely 2 months ago they were ready to hang your ass like a stuck pig and now they’re lining up to suck you off” a chuckle came through Hakon’s words as Aiden rolled his eyes like he had a gold medal for it. “Get your ass off my bed and lets go” he said instead of replying to the mans words.
“You even got a nice little place here, truly a man of the people huh Kid?” despite the further teasing, Hakon did as he was told and got up to follow Aiden out. They made their way out, not without more empty praise, but at least Hakon was quiet. For now anyway. He knew once they were out, once they were safe, Hakon would be back on his ass in one of the worst ways.
Their ‘spot’ as it had become known, was a little off the beaten path, so it was usually empty. Hakon was blissfully silent for most of the run, only giving cheeky little smiles as they passed through other survivor camps on the way and a few compliments were tossed Aiden’s way.
Fucking. Asshole. Why did Aiden like him so much.
The glare of UV purple came into view a few rooftops away, and Hakon gently slapped his shoulder as he passed. “Race you Mr. Celebrity” he snarked before taking off in a dead sprint. Didn’t change that Aiden was faster and more agile than him, winning easily, but it was a bit of a treat to have seen him try. Hakon was huffing by the time he got to the little house. “Fuck me Kid” he panted, Aiden giving him a smug smile. “What, old man needs a break?”. Hakon, even from his bent over position, flipped the other off. “Hey man, can’t be Villedor’s number 1 good boy if you cant even beat an ‘old man like me in a race”.
Aiden huffed at his words, reminded again of his unnecessary status amongst the folks of Old Villedor, and made his way inside. When he heard Hakon come in he spoke. “Bring it up again and I’m making you sleep outside”. He was lighting the kettle on a little gas stove when Hakon came to lean against the table to look at him, not having fully regained his composure. Head tilted to the side, he spoke. “You really don’t like everyone looking to you huh?”. Once again Aiden rolled his eyes, this time though it wasn’t at Hakon himself, just his words.
“Sometimes its like they cant fucking wipe their asses without me yaknow, I’m just trying to do my thing and I’m still somehow deciding the god damned fate of mankind”. He ranted. “Like, what the fuck did people do around here before I came and why is some random pilgrim suddenly making all their choices for them”. Hakon put a steadying hand on his shoulder and gave it a warm squeeze.
Aiden leaned into the touch as he usually did, calming considerably before he spoke again. “I know not everyone is full of shit too yaknow, I know some of them really mean their thank you’s and all that, but like, so many people say shit and it feels like they’re just trying to butter me up or something”. He deflated further, turning around to lean against the table and into Hakon’s side. “Like if they praise me enough I’ll pick their side when the next big decision eventually comes up”. While listening, Hakon had slung his arm loosely around Aiden’s waist, a small comforting gesture, and as he finished speaking he was held just a little tighter.
“Listen Aiden”. Started Hakon. “I know you want to help everyone, and I know no matter what anyone says, you’re going to try, but I need you to remember that these are all grown ass adults”. He shook Aiden gently and just enough for a small smile to crack on the younger man’s face. “When it’s all said and done they’re responsible for their own shit, not you”. He pulled Aiden into a more proper hug, albeit from the side, and it made Aiden’s chest warm pleasantly, to know that someone gave a shit about him like that. “Ignore those fuckers who just want on your good side, because even if they need the help, they don’t deserve you”.
Aiden stayed quiet for a while, only the screeching outside and soft simmer of the kettle making any sound. Then he looked at Hakon, only twisting his head where it was laid on the elders shoulder. “And you?” he asked softly. “Do you deserve me?”. He wasn’t sure what exactly he wanted out of the question, but he’d asked anyway, to sate a small curiosity. He wasn’t all too surprised when it pulled a huff from Hakon either. “Me?” the man chuckled, an unreadable smile soft on his face. “Ah ma petite chérie, I could never even hope to try”. Aiden frowned and hoped it was a mere joke after all Hakon had done for him. “Don’t say that, I’d be dead without you yaknow” he argued, looking away and settling his head again, preening inwardly when Hakon’s head came to rest atop it. “I think if anyone in this hell hole city deserves me, it’d be you”.
Hakon stayed silent a moment. When he spoke it was quiet, just above a whisper. “I’m very happy you think so chérie”. Then for a second time, a quiet settled between them until the kettle started screaming. Aiden begrudgingly loosened himself from Hakon’s warm embrace to switch it off before walking to his pack. With a little smile on his face, he said. “In any case, whether you deserve it or not, I’ll share with you” he pulled out a little tin of instant coffee, the good kind even before the end of the world. At the sight of it Hakon moaned and played at his knees buckling. “Ah Aiden, you truly are a fucking celebrity”. They both laughed then, and for once, being reminded of his meaningless and horribly vapid status didn’t bother him so much.