12:31am

Did I get this idea from a trial on 'I'm A Celebrity'? Yes, yes I did.

Au
—

Ink black clouds painted across the sky, hiding the twinkling stars from view. Without the glow of the moon the world below was incredibly dark, street lights shut off hours ago. The sounds of buzzing insects and wild animals filled the land for miles, impossible for a moment of quiet peace.

To break the ongoing music of nature, a car hurried down the narrow road sidelined by tall full hedges. Even with the headlights it was cautious, not daring to go over twenty. It had driven for awhile, nearly the entire day, and it still had some to go before it inevitably rests.

Inside the car was a man, none older than twenty three, with thick honey auburn hair and tired hazel eyes. Sometimes his head would nod forward with dangerous hints of exhaustion, but he'd perk right back up and continue his barely-there focus on the road, telling himself over and over he'll be there soon.

His grip on the steering wheel was weak, although it struck fear he knew he wouldn't be able to control the car with complete accuracy if something were to get in his way. He hoped nature would stay out, he really didn't want to kill a cute bunny or sweet fox.

"In one hundred yards, turn left"

Roman jumped up in his seat a little, blinking blearily at the GPS hooked onto his dash. He checked time of arrival, only five minutes left. He could do it, he told himself, sitting that bit straighter in his seat, he could make it.

While his body screamed for rest, and brain halfway there to forcefully shutting him down, Roman's determination wouldn't allow him to stop at the side of the road and rest. He was so close now, so close, and wouldn't feel safe until he were inside a building.

"Turn right"

Roman again flinched, but did as instructed, although very slowly.

"You have reached your destination" and those words were heavenly. Pulling up beside another car he shut his off and leaned back in his plush red seat, closing his eyes for a few seconds of reprise. He was here, he made it, driving since nine am with two breaks until here, three am, wondering how the Hell he did it but not complaining about it, either.

Sitting up, he glanced all around, then flicked on the light above his head. Grabbing his phone he stuffed it into his pocket, then reached into his backseat, pulling out his duffle bag filled with all his belongings.

Ready to get out he paused, eyes fixated on the cubby hole before the passengers seat. His hand slowly trailed over to it, hovering over the tab to pull it open, but then he looked away and withdrew. No, he shook his head, don't.

Stepping out the car, he closed and locked it up securely, looking at the large building in front of him. It was three story including the attic, although he thinks there might be a basement, with an old Victorian house vibe. The lights were off which made him wince, he knew it was late or rather very early but he did tell the owner this was the time he would most likely arrive.

Walking across the gravel, he headed around the side to the front door, stepping into the archway and ringing on the doorbell. As soon as he came near one of the outside lights flicked on, triggered by his movements. This gave him easy view of space around him, looking at the neatly trimmed bushes and beautifully kept flowers. It was incredible here, the picture online truly do it no justice.

Readying to ring the doorbell again (even if it made him feel terrible the first time) a light inside turned on and he grabbed the handle of his duffle tighter, fully expecting the owner to be grumpy, possibly even yell and curse, maybe even not let him inside, but when the door opened he was met with a pleasant surprise.

A man of similar height and age met him with a tired yet warm smile, Roman noticed instantly one half of his face was scarred with burns, trailing down his neck to become hidden beneath his bed shirt. Roman didn't stare for long, instead smiled a little timidly, mostly apologetic. "I'm terribly sorry I-.." he drifted a little uneasily, not knowing how to explain himself. The owner waved his hand around however and Roman relaxed.

"Didn't I tell you it was alright?"

Roman bit his lip and nodded, the owner clearly stated whatever time he'd arrive he was welcome. Roman was just anxious. "Thank you so much" he added, wanting him to know how grateful he was.

"It's my pleasure" he responded, voice bordering the sensual flow of an evil villain. "Come on in" he added, stepping aide for Roman to walk in which he did with a curious gleam in his eyes, noticing the snakes on the wall instantly. They weren't real, merely black shadows of the creature painted onto the yellow wallpaper.

"This place is absolutely beautiful" Roman commented while the owner led him through to the dining room. "It is, isn't it?" He mused with a light smirk, flicking open a book and sliding it to Roman who noticed no one had signed in or out in a very long time. "Simply right your name here..." he pointed, "and date of arrival"

Roman leaned down closer and did just that, the owner thanked him quietly and closed the book, placing it onto the bookshelf pressed to the wall.

"I'm Deceit" the owner suddenly piped up, turning to Roman and clasping his hands, "call me De"

Roman nodded, unable to respond for a yawn split through him. Deceit chuckled, he couldn't imagine driving for as long as Roman had.

"Follow me" Deceit requested, taking Roman up the staircase and down the hallway, a room right at the end with a tall door, the knob placed at head level. "This is yours" he explained, stepping inside first to give him a short tour. The room had a double bed, a wardrobe, a small desk and a sink in the corner. It was exceptionally cosy with the radiator turned onto a perfect heat, Roman could already feel himself relaxing immeasurably, and after feeling the mattress knew he was in for the best night of his life.

"Is this to your liking?" Deceit asked, watching Roman take of his shoes and neatly place them half under the bed. "Oh, I love it!" Roman responded with a half smile, simply too tired to give anything more, Deceit knew this and decided to let him sleep, he had a long day after all.

"Sleep well, Roman, if you need me ring this" pointing to a dark gold bell beside the door Roman didn't even notice at first he left the room, Roman listened to the sound of his footsteps slowly become silent. Without the ability to change he sluggishly turned off the light, buried himself under the covers and fell asleep immediately, not at all bothered by the sounds of nature from outside, which carried on until the sunrise.

Deceit was relaxed in a puffy armchair when he heard the sounds of Roman coming down the stairs, poking his head in through the open archway. "Good morning!" He chirped, Deceit could see the change in him since last night - now the man was full of energy and looked much more glamorous. Deceit clicked onto the light makeup and fancy outfit, wondering who he was going to impress.

"I am sorry, again, about last night-"

"Not at all, Roman" Deceit soothed once again and the man sighed out in relief. "I can't stay for long, unfortunately, I'm planning to meet with someone! My boyfriend, we're meeting for the first time!" While he explained this he walked into the room and sat down on the couch, Deceit slowly closed his book and prompted him to continue.

"Hopefully I'll move in! We've planned it all year! He's the most beautiful man I've ever met, with me we're the perfect couple!" Deceit let out a soft snort, Roman merely giggled lightly and carried on, seemingly as light as air. "Anyway! I'll be back later to pay and grab my things, goodbye Deceit!" With that he was out the house and at his car in seconds flat, Deceit watched through the window as he pulled out the drive and sped down the road, slowly he reopened his book and let out a sigh.

"Don't get your heart broken" he whispered.

The day went by as usual for Deceit, he did a bit of cleaning before tending to his garden, his plants needed a little watering, seeing as the weather predicted sun for the rest of the week, although he wouldn't be quite surprised to see some rain. He made himself some lunch before sitting down at his computer, wondering if he had received any emails. A lot of people contacted him through email, mostly the older generations, if they needed anything or had any queries.

This wasn't the only 'hotel' he owned, rather his house wasn't a hotel at all, a B&B really, but he found he liked the word 'hotel' much better. The other place he owned was a block of flats and secured most his money through that, as not many people booked a room in his B&B, not that he was complaining. He only opened it up for people to stay because often he'd get lonely, while he did have a pet snake (named Blossom) it wasn't enough to fill in the hole, he needed people and unfortunately didn't have them often.

With a wistful sigh his errands continued, often debating whether or not to go out grocery shopping, but always putting it off until it was too late. Being an adult was hard sometimes, getting the energy to go shopping was impossible. Especially because bastard parents can't teach their snot-nosed offspring to stop staring at his face whenever he leaves the fucking house. He swore, if he could kick those gremlins across the aisle without repercussion he would without hesitation.

Sometimes he stares at the parents until they're too uncomfortable and leave him be, but he doesn't want to do that every time, he doesn't exactly like having a deformity. It's one of the main reasons why he wears a hat, to duck it over his face and avoid eye contact.

As the afternoon turned into evening, he had finished his supper when the door opened and in walked in Roman. Deceit stood up and walked to the hallway, watching as Roman walked straight past and up the stairs, and instantly Deceit knew. He knew.

Taking his plate to the kitchen, he washed them without urgency, a leisurely pace to everything he did. Once they were washed, dried and put away only then did he slowly meander up the staircase and down the hallway to Roman's room, hesitating a moment before knocking on the wood.

"Would you mind if I came in?" Deceit called ever so gently, hearing a soft noise of disagreement from the other side. Taking that as a 'no he wouldn't mind', Deceit stepped in, finding Roman to be a lump on his bed, buried under the thick blanket, his hair peeking out from the top, splayed across the pillow.

"What happened?" Deceit murmured, taking a seat at the edge of the bed, leaning over him like a mother ready to tuck in her child.

Roman sighed heavily, a few sniffles audible too. "Things didn't work out" he groggily responded, then slowly sat up, pushing the blanket down around him. Deceit watched him silently to let him speak without interruption. "Apparently I was better online then real life" he muttered bitterly and Deceit frowned, wondering who on Earth this idiot was. From their short time together Deceit concluded Roman was great company.

"But..." then Roman chuckled humourlessly, brushing his hair away from his painted red face, possibly from his crying session, or from utter humiliation. "I'm not surprised"

"Whatever do you mean?"

Roman kept his eyes locked onto his lap, "look at me, De" he murmured, frown tugging his lips, "I'm not good enough for anyone" he admitted, at this point in time opening up to a stranger didn't affect him, he had no one else at this point - since the argument with his (now ex) he cut him off and spent the rest of his day crying in his car, parked in the middle of nowhere, wondering what he would do now, where would he go...? He didn't have a home. He ran away from the torture of his bio-parents to try and find security in his boyfriend of two years but maybe, deep down, in his heart, he knew that wouldn't happen.

"Sorry" Roman whispered, Deceit wanted to reassure him but Roman carried on, shifting a little back. "I don't have enough for another night, I'll pay and go-"

"Go where?" Deceit retorted with a light shake of his head. "I won't let you go anywhere unless you have a bed to sleep in" Roman was a little surprised at that, why did this man care so much?

"But I can't stay here"

"You think so little of me that I'd put money over a person's life? I'm not hurt at all" he drawled and Roman shook his head quickly, "no, no!" He backtracked, "I-I-...I just-I just thought..." he drifted, chewing his lip. It wasn't unusual to assume if he didn't have money he wouldn't be allowed to stay, he couldn't imagine this ever happening, and he assumed even if he could stay for free it wouldn't be for long.

"Thank you" Roman went with instead, yet unable to manage a smile, pain in his heart unimaginably strong.

"Stay for as long as you need" Deceit reassured and Roman nodded gently.

While Deceit would have done the same for anyone, letting Roman stay with him was the best choice he ever made in his life, because after everything, after nights of comforting Roman when he cried, after watching Roman destroy himself over his inept inability to get a job, after wondering when he'd finally see Roman smile...it was worth it in the end.

The day Roman came home yelling, so excited he was bouncing off the walls, because he got lead role in the theatre located within the city half an hour away, made Deceit feel impossibly warm and proud.

The attendance to the play, to each and every show, brought back Roman's smile, brought back his laugh, the colour to his cheeks. It brought him back.

In the end Roman didn't leave, Deceit didn't want him to, and after it all both men got they've always wanted.

Someone to love.

—
The word aesthetic is so aesthetically pleasing

4:37pm