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Kevin was, to put it lightly, a very touchy person. The cowboy always had contact with someone. An arm around someone's shoulder. One of his hugs after a good match. A pat on the back accompanying a boisterous laugh. All things the man did on a daily basis with his friends and teammates.
Aesop...well to put it lightly he was the complete opposite of that.
Aesop had learned fairly early on in his life that he didn't care for casual touches. The feel of hands on him made his skin crawl, unconsciously shying away from it whenever it happened. Sure, he had his moments where a hug from William or leaning against Eli as they rested on the couch were accepted, but more often than not he'd prefer hands be kept to themselves.
Kevin was a rare exception in the game, hands always too rough as he picked people up to escape the hunter. Aesop allowed it, simply because it was necessary. But he noticed that Kevin never held him longer than necessary. Never picked him up just for fun or just because he could. And Aesop appreciated it, even if sometimes he wouldn't have minded. Although, he wasn't sure for how long.
It was that circle of thought that kept him seated on the couch in the manor, lost in his thoughts as he sat. The other survivors were celebrating around him, laughing and chatting excitedly after a match well won. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't react to the heavy weight flopping onto the couch beside him. Almost. He winced, looking over at the person and mildly surprised to see Kevin flopped beside him. Demi and Jose were still lounging on the other side of the room, so why had the cowboy come over here?
"Sorry to intrude," Kevin said, flashing that bright smile at him, "was getting a little crowded over there and I needed some air." Aesop raised a brow, unsure what to do with himself other than adjust his gloves.
"I can go if you want," he offered. If Kevin of all people felt crowded, then he probably needed it. To his surprise the cowboy made a distressed noise, rubbing a hand over his face.
"I didn't mean it like that," he groaned, "I just wanted to come see how you were doing. That's all."
"I…appreciate it?" It came out more like a question than a statement, making Kevin heave an exhausted sounding breath. He realized, rather belatedly, that he hadn't also answered the cowboy. "I'm…fine. It's a touch noisy here, but I promised I'd at least show up for a bit." Kevin was quiet for a long moment before he glanced over with his usual playfulness glittering in his eyes.
"Wanna bail?" Aesop stared at him for a long moment, very much wanting to 'bail' as Kevin had put it. He almost told Kevin that he'd rather leave alone, but something held his tongue and twisted his words.
"Yes. That…that sounds nice." Kevin beamed, jumping to his feet. A few other survivors looked their way, but it seemed to be mostly directed at Kevin's antics than his own unease. He waited until most of the attention drifted away before standing himself, following Kevin from the room. He couldn't hide the way his shoulders relaxed, the noise of their fellow survivors dampened by the door.
"My room's got a great balcony," Kevin offered as they walked, throwing a grin over his shoulder, "And there's drinks if you want any."
"Isn't alcohol supposed to be kept solely in the kitchen?" He asked curiously.
"Hey if they wanna punish me for a single bottle of whiskey it'll be worth it," the cowboy said, "besides, Will's got about a dozen bottles stashed away and Demi's got the whole bar in her room. I doubt I'm too high on the list of priorities."
"I see," he said, "then...I suppose one drink wouldn't hurt."
"That's the spirit!" Aesop couldn't help but flinch as Kevin gave him a friendly smack on the back. The cowboy ducked his head sheepishly. "Ah...sorry bout that. I didn't mean to touch you."
"You never do," Aesop said before he could stop himself, "touch me, that is. Unless we're in a game and you have to. Is there...something wrong with me?" Kevin stopped dead in his tracks, Aesop nearly running into him.
"Something wrong with you? Why would you think that?" Kevin asked, sounding genuinely confused. Aesop fidgeted under his scrutiny, tugging on his gloves.
"I...that's why right?" He asked, "Why you won't touch me unless you have to. I-I mean it wouldn't be a new revelation, but-"
"Woah, hold your horses there," Kevin cut in, "that ain't why at all. Though you've certainly convinced yourself of it." Aesop flushed a bit, swallowing thickly as the cowboy sighed. "You don't like being touched, do you."
"N-Not really," he admitted.
"Exactly," Kevin said, "I'm a touchy guy sure, but I'm not about to grab at you when you're clearly not comfortable with it. I know how to respect boundaries." Aesop nodded, relaxing a bit.
"I don't mind," he said slowly, looking up to meet the man's eye, "your touch, I mean. It's...more bearable than anyone else's." Kevin crossed his arms, cocking his head slightly to one side.
"That so. Mind if I try something then?"
"Yes," Aesop said curtly, "I mean...yes, you can. I don't mind." The cowboy smiled, reaching out a hand. Aesop held his breath, still as a statue until Kevin's hand settled on his head. He couldn't help but stare at Kevin as the man ruffled his hair.
"Sorry," he said, looking anything but, "I've always wanted to do that."
"Touch someone's hair?" Aesop asked.
"Yours, specifically," the cowboy said sheepishly, "I mean, not just your hair, but baby steps yeah?"
"Why me?"
"Cause I may or may not think you're cute and incredibly endearing," Kevin said without missing a beat. Aesop flushed, glancing away. "You don't have to respond to that right now. I just want to spend more time with you. If something happens, then it happens, but I won't push it." He held out a hand, a lopsided grin settled on his face. "Do we have a deal?" Aesop stared at his hand for a moment before taking it gently. To his surprise, his skin barely itched at the contact.
"We have a deal."