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Another explosion in his base. Great. Watching resources he worked hard for get blown to smitherines sure was a delight. Especially when its the sixth time today.
Green life Joel, green. You cant kill anyone yet. The desire to slash and tear stood strong nonetheless.
God give him patience. Not strength, if God gave him more strength everyone here would be dead.
He had to free his heart from the flames eating at it but best he could do at the moment was a cry that gushed out of his lungs.
"Goodness sake! Thats enough! Who was that!?"
"Yehhohoho"
He needed not a name when that annoying voice made itself heard again. He could hear the baldness in his voice. Full of glee.
Joel pulled at his sword, reflexive at this point. Everyone knew he couldnt actually kill someone. Tango made a run for it nonetheless.
He hid his secret base, told not a single soul. Its no coincidence that it was found again. Because a soulless man knew where his secret base was. That stupid bastard. Deep breaths, deep breaths. Lets try to not scare our prey.
"Etho. I want to talk. In private."
The menagerie of an audience harmonized into a stupid "Oooooooohh". All of them better shut their jaws before he shoved his foot in there. They all watched this happen again and again and again and again and again and did nothing. Bloody wankers.
"H-hey now Joel! Lets not jump to conclusions! It was Tango who did it! We can talk this out!!" Maybe it was his hardly filtered tone, maybe it was how his teeth gritted as he spoke or maybe it was the way his hands threatened to bruise Ethos wrist as he pulled him into the nearest cave. Or maybe he just simply knew he was guilty. One way or another it was safe to assume Etho knew he was pissed.
The surrounding voices faded as they were delving deeper and deeper into the dark cave. He took a torch coated in gunpowder and scraped it against a nearby wall, illuminating their way in. The light from outside barely helped their case. It was okay, the men were used to flourishing in caves scarrier than this.
Joel was grateful with the way the outer sounds faded into this moist but the sniggering of the other man prevented his nerves to calm. "Oh cmon Joel I did nothing!" Nothing my ass.
With a swing of his grip, the lanky dude was against the damp wall. Hes done trying to convince himself the guy is innocent.
"You know exactly what you did you bitch." his forearms found their way onto ethos neck, pushing him deeper onto the wall. "Im not stupid dumbass. Only you knew where it was."
"Gh-" finally some relief. Seeing Ethos pained face was like water on this fire in his throat. "M-maybe he just.. stumbled on it..?"
"You know damn well he didnt Etho. Do you understand how tired i am of your shenanigins?! Old times this old times that.. you dont really care do you?" a snicker escaped the man above which caused Joels rage to double. Its okay, Joel didnt care about the old times eighter. He didnt care. He didnt. He never did.
"Look at me Etho. Im still a green name. I know your season is a lost cause, but you cant just pull me into the fire can you?!"
Etho eyed the door to outside. Not even looking at joel anymore. Was this guy for real? Killing him wasnt enough he needed to torment him for eternity.
"Are you even listening-"
Cant breath. Joel cant breath. The smell of dirt and metal up in his nose. A cold hand masked his face. Its not gentle at all. No, it hurt. Squishing at his nose and cheeks. Pain didnt matter at the moment, he couldnt breath.
"Mmh!" Adrenaline rushed into his body in masses. Nobody could hear him but he cried out eighter way. He cant breath. Suddenly a heavy wave of pain ran through him. Feeling the ground beneath his body, he realized he wasnt exactly on his feet anymore. Etho had taken advantage of the fact he was on his tippy toes and so... defenseless. A human instinct in him told him to connect with Etho, look into his eyes and remember hes real.
Ethos eyes looked at him with... intention. He had a goal in mind and Joel was not a person. Joel was anything but a person to him. A smile painted on his pale face, devoid of any comforting means. A shiver ran through Joel along with the realization that he was the prey. An overbearing buzz blurred his vision. He kept on thrashing but no avail. He couldnt make out anything in this dark cave, his torch on the ground still miraculously lit. He couldnt make out anything but Ethos piercing eyes.
It all felt like a dream and he decided "So i guess im dying." Its less scary of a thought than he ever imagined. Last thing he saw was Etho licking at his ashy lips. He was enjoying this wasnt he.
A gasp and a few painful coughs. Every cough hurt at the tip. His eyes darted around and helped him recall where he was. His body acted on instinct when the mud and rocks scraped against his white blouse. Pushing himself out of Ethos grasp he couldnt calm his breathing. He could suck air in but he couldnt let it out. All that came out were whimpers. He felt as if every organ of his was dislocated.
Hunger stood proud on Ethos mimics. "Aaawh? Did someone panic?" One might even belive Joel was a cute kitten that sneezed itself awake.
No. Joel was a grown man. Man desired life. Survival was mans first thought. Thats why he didnt think and make a logical escape. Instead oof runing towards the exit his stupid brain decided it was a great idea to Get up and back up against a wall. Great one Joel. Applause for you.
Etho was glad eighter way. With a bounce of his feet he too was up. He didnt even need to hurry. He could savor this sweet moment between them as much as he wanted. Unlike many of their other encounters.
Joel could feel his outfit was a mess now. It was cold against his skin. Ethos gaze was even colder as he trapped Joel against the wall with his arms. He had what he wanted, him and Etho were close again. Then why was he crying?
A warm tear rolled down his cheek, shining enough in the darkness for Etho to notice.
He prayed it was a sign of sympathy when the tall man wiped it away. His finger rough, it was like a sandpaper on his face. His eyes felt heavy like they would pour if he blinked. Instead he looked up into Ethos eyes. He couldnt tell what emotion he was wearing. Pray it be mercy.
He looked up like he was looking at the stars above. There was no sky though. They were in a cave and he was looking at the moon, not the stars. Was he always this tall?
He cant breath. Was it fear? Was it the enclosed cave or was it their proximity?
And with the rustling of fabric, Etho pulled away. wet footsteps faded away into the bright light. Joel should leave too. He should really get going. Time is of the essence, he cant waste it.
He kneeled onto the floor and laid down.