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Since they had arrived at the mansion, Matthias hadn't really talked to anyone except for his puppet, which tormented him every night.
He was honestly tired. He felt alone. He had exchanged a few words with Luca, who was trying to be sociable with everyone, and some with Emily, to help him heal, but nothing more.
Until they announced that the new survivor was arriving.
— I’m sorry about the number of people coming to this place… — Emma said, with a hand over her mouth, showing a worried expression.
Matthias turned his face toward her, wondering whether he should respond or perhaps not.
The doors opened, revealing a tall man, at least 19-21 years old, blonde, and missing an eye. The last detail caught Matthias's attention.
When he entered, Matthias saw how extremely extroverted he could be. That was going to be bad, wasn’t it? He felt a slight envy toward him.
Everyone welcomed him warmly except Matthias. He went to his room; he couldn't stand so much noise.
— 🦊 —
At least a week had passed since Florian arrived, and he had just finished his first match.
The rain was pounding fiercely against the mansion’s windows, and Matthias, who fortunately had not been in the match, was sitting by the fireplace, warming his cold hands, terrified by the growing fire in his hand.
He heard the mansion’s door open, revealing the survivors from the previous match.
They were Martha, Tracy, Eli, and Florian, but only two of them looked in good shape.
He watched Florian take off his shoes, with a cloth on his head. He really didn’t know where he had gotten it from. He sat by the fireplace, a few seats away from Matthias. Should he greet him? He wondered. Lately, he had been having conflicts about this since Florian arrived; he wanted to be more sociable. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t realize he was staring at a fixed point, or rather, directly at Florian's face.
— Do you need something? — He heard the other speak; his face maintained a chilling smile. Slightly irritated, he responded. — No…
— And why are you looking at me like that? Man, it looks like you’ve seen a ghost. — He laughed at his comment, not noticing that Matthias hadn't even flinched. What was he laughing about, mainly?
— Curiosity.
— Huh? Curiosity about what, Mr. Czernin?
Mr? They were almost the same age, weren’t they? Or maybe Matthias’s tear-streaked face made him look older than he was. Either way, he was sure he hadn’t told anyone his last name.
Matthias didn’t respond for a few seconds. His gaze fixed on the fireplace now.
— Your eye.
— This? — He pointed to the empty socket. — We’re alike, don’t you think? — He laughed.
Matthias shuddered at the comparison. What made him think that? They were not alike; Florian was perfect even in his imperfections, unlike Matthias.
— It happened in a fire when I was little. I lost my parents trying to save me. — His voice sounded melancholic, nostalgic. It was as if he missed them, but didn’t really need them. — After that, I became a fire investigator because of them. Seeing grateful families for saving a life is a unique feeling… Haha, sorry, I got off track. — He sighed. — Honestly, I’m also curious about your mark. — He got up from the chair and approached Matthias. — Can I touch it?
Matthias didn’t know how to respond. Didn’t it disgust him? He supposed not, but for some reason, he needed someone to understand him.
— Sure, anyway I can’t feel much on my left side.
— Oh? Is that so? I can’t feel on my right side as well as in other parts of my body.
Florian took off his glove, and with both hands, began tracing lines on Matthias’s face, touching every corner, making small tickles, causing Matthias to let out a small laugh.
Florian’s single eye widened in surprise at seeing something other than a depressive look on Matthias’s face.
— Do you like it? — He smiled at the idea of seeing Matthias smile more.
— It just tickles.
— Mhmm… — He continued drawing with his fingers. Matthias’s skin was rough; with a bit of care, it could improve, he thought. Still, it felt good. His pale skin took on a reddish hue, and suddenly, Florian’s stomach churned.
Without warning, his hands touched Matthias’s, bringing them closer to his face.
— Florian…?
— Yes?
He didn’t even look back. His eye was closed as he appreciated how quickly his skin warmed at the contact with another person. God, how long had it been since he felt warmth like this? Probably since the incident with his parents.
— Well… Can I touch you too? I mean, I’m also very curious about your eye.
But that meant removing the bandages. Would he do something so private and personal with a stranger? And worse, other survivors were passing by; anyone could see it. However, Florian did it, although it took him a few minutes to process it and a few more minutes to move away from Matthias’s hands.
Matthias placed his hand directly on Florian’s eye once he had permission. The more he observed, the more he noticed freckles blending with his face, slightly curly hair, or that Florian’s natural hair color wasn’t blonde.
His hands moved from the eye to the cheeks.
Was he doing it right? He didn’t get any reactions from Florian; Florian just stared at him. He seemed afraid of what Matthias might say.
His cheeks were even softer than they seemed…
This little game was taking more time than he thought.
Now, his hands were on the other’s lips. They felt somewhat dry, as if the fire had scorched the juicy look they always seemed to have. Was it the result of his nerves?
— Matthias… Why…? — He whispered, not having an answer. — Why are you touching me like this…?
Perhaps his words were not the right ones, but Matthias’s face seemed to understand.
— Did it bother you? I’m sorry. — He slowly moved his hands away, knowing that wasn’t the case, but not wanting to make a mistake with Florian.
Florian quickly took Matthias’s hands and brought them back to his face.
— That’s not it! Ah… I said it wrong, I’m sorry. It doesn’t bother me, it’s just… — He didn’t know how to finish describing it. He sighed, defeated. — Maybe I don’t know how to put it into words, but I like it. — He rested his right cheek (the one missing the eye) on Matthias’s palm, snuggling into it.
They didn’t know why, but the feeling that their relationship would not be just friends appeared in both of their stomachs.
They both smiled at each other. A genuinely warm smile.
— You’re really beautiful. — Matthias said without thinking twice, in response to the magnificent view Florian was offering him.
— ♟️ —