Chapter Text
There was only one survivor left, as Wesker had planned of course. It had all finally come together into the perfect outcome. The tactically advantageous layout of the RPD and the exact peculiar survivor that on a previous trial had caught his eye. Combine that with three other survivors that were easy prey, and Wesker knew that now was the time to allow himself some entertainment.
The aforementioned peculiar survivor was a slight man, shorter than Wesker of course, sharply dressed, with his blonde hair slicked back. It was a look that Wesker could greatly appreciate, him not being unaware that he held a good number of narcissistic traits.
The survivor had cornered himself. He had been sneaking around for some time until he tried to make a break for one of the exit gates, got reckless, and had run right into a dead end that Wesker had quickly created.
He stood stock still, hunched in on himself as if that would help his predicament in any sort of way. Wesker stood strong at the only exit to the office room they were in, with the only pallet that had been present already turned into splinters.
In no rush, Wesker gave himself more time to take in the man’s appearance, now that he was closer, and now that there was nowhere he could run. He was slight, but with some muscle, judging by the way he held himself. His clothing must have been well taken care of before he was pulled into this realm. It was tailored to fit as well. High quality. Wesker approved.
The urge to rush forward and slam the man against the wall was sudden and immense. He could end this quickly. Simply place him up on a hook, and he knew he would have pleased The Entity.
No. That wasn’t the plan. He quickly crushed the feeling, not even too entirely sure it was his own. He had done well enough anyway. Three of them were dead and as such he felt he had earned himself a bit of fun. And who knew when he would be in a trial with the same man again.
Speaking of, it looked like the man in question was getting a bit antsy. Wesker could help with that.
"You there. You’ve come to the realization that you’ve lost haven’t you? Why don't we have a bit of a chat." He lets his expression turn into a sadistic grin, if only to unsettle him. If only to see how he would react.
The man eyed him skeptically. It was impossible for him to be more backed into the corner than he already was, but he definitely seemed to be trying. Wesker took a few steps closer, and kneeled down to be more at his eye level.
"You know, we have similar appearances, you and I, though you are far smaller", Wesker said. He leaned forward a little more, to accentuate the point. His hand moved downward, grabbing at the thinnest part of his waist. Wesker could feel him try to flinch away.
"It's nice to finally get a better look at you. The whole chase to kill schtick was getting a bit dull" Wesker said, more severe than he meant for it to come out.
The man seemed to hesitate, trying most likely to gather up his nerves as Wesker stared at him. Wesker knew he was making the man uncomfortable more than just in a way a killer would, which was hopefully a new experience for him in this realm. The thought of it being otherwise was not something he would entertain.
It was no small amount of time before the man spoke up.
"What is this?"
Wesker found his voice appealing, though going off the moans of pain he mostly heard from him during their last trial together, he knew that already.
"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to…”
The man paused, catching Wesker’s eyes with his own. Wesker hoped this was his way of asking for permission. He tilted his head forward, encouraging him to continue.
“Uh. Aren’t you supposed to be picking me up and putting me on a hook?" The man said the words properly, but Wesker could see the faint tremor in his body. The man seemed to look past him for a moment, and Wesker surmised it was more of him remembering the hook just outside the doorway, and less of him thinking of making a run for it. This survivor didn't seem dumb enough to think incorrectly that he could make it.
Wesker pretends to muse over the idea of putting him on the hook.
"I very much could. Is that what you want? The same thing you always get? Why would I do that when I've got you in such a….unique position?"
They stared at each other for a moment. A beat.
"I offer you something new." Wesker continued, "A brief respite. Let us talk. For a moment."
More silence. But the man didn't run for it. Wesker didn't expect much else. He smirked.
Wesker removed his hand from the man's waist slowly. "To start with. Your name?"
More silence. But Wesker didn't let it affect him. He watched and waited. He had all the time in the world.
The man looked to the ground for a moment, shrinking slightly more into the corner. "Felix." He said quietly.
"Very good. Felix." The man, Felix, looked up at him again. He seemed to mull something over before standing up straighter. A small smirk suddenly graces his lips. Confident, if you ignored the slight worrying of his brow.
Suddenly Wesker is far more attentive.
Felix opened his mouth, and Wesker couldn't help but look at his lips. They have similar enough facial features, even there. But he also very much appreciates the differences.
"Alright. So you really do want to talk. I can't- I can't say that's happened to me before. Though…I've heard some of the other survivors talk about it. With other killers that is. Not with you."
"Is it so surprising that I want to talk to you….Felix." Wesker makes sure to strongly enunciate his name.
A slight temperature elevation from the man is all Wesker needs to know that there might be something there, later down the line. Another plan in his head was forming.
The man…Felix seems to mull something over in his brain, before Wesker could see something shift on his face. A got a more determined look in his eyes.
“Are you…going to kill me or not? You said you weren't interested in hooking me, but I've seen far too many other possibilities to not still be…concerned.” He looks up.
“Mmmm. I could. It would be very easy.”
A gloved hand moves towards Felix slowly, before the tip of his finger stops at his exposed clavicle. Felix stills and what little confidence he had mustered quickly faded away back under the layer of fear Wesker was accustomed to.
He moved his hand slowly, grasping his fingers up and around Felix’s throat. Not squeezing yet, but very evident in his intentions. Wesker paused, holding his hand still. He had some time still to explore his curiosities.
Felix stared up at him. Wesker liked what he saw. The fear was still there of course. But behind that, Wesker could see a sharp mind at work, trying to figure him out just as much as Wesker was him.
Wesker didn’t suffer fools, and he had found the world was almost entirely overgrown with them. Finding someone of a more nuanced intelligence, that was rare enough on its own, but especially here in this realm where the population size was…severely limited.
The loud echoing noise of the trial’s endgame pierced his ears. He could feel Felix flinch and hear his heartbeat pick up. Seemed they were running out of time. He didn’t mind cutting it close. He tightened his fingers just a bit.
“Just get it over with yeah? What’s the….what’s the hol-”, he was interrupted as Wesker closed off his airway. Wesker delighted that Felix had a look of consternation about his face at the action. Amusing.
“I could kill you whenever I wanted to, so what’s the harm in me having my bit of fun? Ah, but only a few minutes remain. What am I to do with you? What do you think?”
Felix glared up at him. Though Wesker could tell he was trying not to, his body couldn’t help but begin to struggle as it was deprived of oxygen. Hands weakly began to try and pull at his, but of course, they didn’t budge.
The temptation was there of course. End it now. Have the satisfaction of a perfectly executed trial. Wesker could easily do the same the next time however with a different set of survivors. It wasn't necessary here.
Maybe it could instill some sense of gratitude in the man as well; sparing his life on purpose. Now that would be interesting to see. Wesker knew other killers had done similar things, though perhaps with far more sincerity.
Mind made up, he slightly weakened his hold. His eyes focused on Felix’s throat. There was the beginning of red finger-shaped markings forming there. He wondered if the bruises would stay, or if they would heal up after this trial ended. He much preferred the idea of the former. Felix also seemed to enjoy wearing low cut shirts that exposed a fair bit of skin. If the marks were still there, others would see. Good.
Wesker backed away, and Felix collapsed slightly, kneeling on the ground as he greedily took in air.
Wesker held his hand down to him. “Shall we?”
Felix massaged his throat tenderly, before staring at the offered hand; and then to Wesker’s face.
Good, Wesker thought. Pay attention to me. And then he shoved that thought away. It wouldn’t do to give Felix any sort of control over him. That would be foolish.
“I’m trying….very hard to understand what is going through your head. Though I don’t even think I should bother”, Felix rasped out, before taking Wesker’s hand in his.
He was quite easy to lift up, and Wesker felt he had to be a bit careful not to pull him too far. If Wesker were to build a list of the things he so far liked about the man, that would be another point in his favor. Physically weak, but mentally sharp. Perfect enough to satisfy curiosities without being any sort of threat.
“You may certainly try”, he finally said.
Felix rubbed at his throat, an action Wesker's eyes owed behind his shades, before he spoke again. “Now what?”
“Hmmm. I have something. An exercise. What do you think will happen next.” Wesker didn't hide the amusement in his voice. “I’m curious.”
Felix frowned. “Well I know what usually happens”.
Wesker could see the gears turning.
“You want…something new I assume? Why otherwise mess with me like this?”
“That could be it.”
“It is? Isn’t it? Do you even know what you want to do next?”
“Hm very good. No. I don’t. Though the question of the hour is, what would you like to happen?”
Felix looked around as the glowing veins began to spread faster along the ground. “We don’t have much time. I’d honestly rather not get hooked or skewered” He paused for a bit, almost uncertain. Likely remembering he was in the room with a man who had killed numerous survivors over and over again.
"If that’s…alright with you I guess.” Felix muttered.
Wesker let himself indulge. “Convince me then.”
He let small tendrils begin to form downward along his arm; watched as Felix’s eyes followed it and some of the gained confidence of the man began to fade.
“Convi- Convince you?! I don’t have anything. I’ve been here for who knows how long. And we don’t have much longer.”
“Oh come now. I’m sure you have something.”
Felix groaned. “What? I don’t know. I guess I have to have something if you’ve been bothering me this much.”
“That’s the spirit. Good deduction.”
“Oh. God. I don’t know.”
“Time is ticking Felix.”
Felix began to pace. Wesker kept himself locked on to his movements until Felix stopped pacing as suddenly as he started.
“Okay no I’ve got it. You’re bored right? So, let me go right? And then next time we meet, I’ll have something interesting for you. Yeah?” He looked hopeful. Wesker could squash that hope so easily. But he also couldn't lie to himself. He did like this proposal.
“Hmm.” He pretended to think it over. “I suppose. Though, if you don’t," he paused. "You will pay for it.”
Felix’s face lost a bit of its coloring. “Uh yeah. No. I’ll have something…I’m sure”. He raised a hand to his face.
“Yes, well, if you’re so sure.” Wesker let out a small laugh. He walked up to Felix, footsteps heavy. Felix backed up a couple steps on instinct, seeming to fight with himself, before standing still. Good. He was learning.
Wesker reached down, grabbing at his waist once again, and easily picking him up off the ground, draping him over his shoulder. And if he took more joy than usual at grasping a survivor's hip, well, no one would have to know.
“I could have just…followed you?”
“Mm yes you could have.”
Wesker began to walk purposefully through the RPD, listening intently for the faint hum of the hatch.
Another gong. He really had cut it quite close.
“You never said your name by the way”, Felix spoke up from over his shoulder.
“Oh? Must have slipped my mind.”
Wesker continued onward.
“You’re….still not saying it? It’s in your best interest you know. We’ve been calling you The Mastermind around the campfire. Make’s you sound like an old Bond villain.”
Wesker snorted.
“Humorous. And not an incorrect title. But my name is Wesker.”
“Wesker. Uhh. Got it.”
It had been a bit since Wesker had heard his name spoken aloud. It gave him a sharp thrill. Best not to dwell on it though. At least right now. Maybe at a later time.
“So do you-” Wesker shushed him. He could hear it. And there it was, an innocuous thing, but so important. The hatch.
“You may go now Felix. You’ve less than a minute left I believe.”
He felt Felix wiggle off his shoulder at that and hop to the ground. The man walked over to the hatch, looking down at it, before looking back at Wesker.
“It’s stupid." Felix frowned. He ran a hand through his hair. "Now I feel like I owe you, but that doesn’t make any sense.” He shook his head.
“You’ll have time for musing on it later I'm sure.” Wesker looked pointedly at the hatch.
Felix hummed before reaching at his side. Wesker watched as he pulled something from his pocket. A small key; and placed it on the ground. Before Wesker could say anything, Felix quickly turned away and jumped through the hatch, the lid slamming shut behind him with an echoing thud.
Wesker eyed the closed hatch, and then the key.
“A strange man, to be sure”, he muttered to himself, before a tendril shot out, picking up the key off the ground as he pocketed it. It couldn’t hurt to remember an amusing gesture.
"Till next time then, Felix."