📷⚰Afternoon Indulgence

                                    

                                          
[Count! Joseph, Butler!Aesop]
[This is so confusing I'm sorry]
                          
The days always went by quietly. The only noise that was made would be from birds or shuffling staff through the halls. It didn't matter, anyways. Joseph would spend his days in a tranquil state of mind, for the most part. Even when he did leave, it was most likely for personal pleasure. There weren't many charming things in his home to capture in a photograph.
                          
There was, however, one single person he wouldn't mind photographing. Even the idea of calling over a photographer from outside was something he considered, if only to get a picture together. 
                          
Joseph wouldn't say he had his charming butler wrapped around his finger. It was far from that. Aesop simple enjoyed his presence enough to stay and put up with his ridiculous requests. Aesop even outright refused the most recent promotion he was offered: a tripled salary. The reasoning behind it was simple, however. He enjoyed his job requirements as the head butler. That was enough for him.
                          
Yet the title of "head butler" was something Joseph would hear his other employees gossip about. It didn't go unnoticed. Emily had even told him about the gossip that had gone around, but nothing ever came out of it. It wasn't like the rumors weren't true. Joseph was indeed pursuing a relationship with Aesop, but there were still too many formalities in the way currently. 
                          
Even from his view of the garden from his window there were formalities. He watched his favorite person manage the tending of the garden. The yellow roses in particular were cared for tremendously. Aesop would spend at least twenty minutes a day in the afternoon caring for the roses, and instructed others to tend for the other flowers and vegetation. He adhered to his routine strictly and was never a second late.
                          
Aesop turned away from his work and looked up towards Joseph's window. Having been caught, Joseph waved his hand, gesturing Aesop to meet him. Aesop then gave Joseph a deep now before swiftly leaving the garden. Joseph felt an amused chuckle escape him. 
                          
Joseph looked up towards the ticking clock in his room. It would take no longer than two minutes for Aesop to get here, and yet it counted on for five minutes before there was a knock on the door. 
                          
"Come in," Joseph said, turning his body towards the door. The head butler came in, closing the door behind him before bowing deeply once more. "How many times must I tell you? There's no need to be so formal." Joseph gestured Aesop closer.
                          
"Apologies. It's only been a week without them, so I'm still not used to doing so." The butler walked further into the room, only stopping in front of Joseph. "Apologies for the lack of punctuality as well. Miss Behamfil sprained her ankle while coming in from the garden."
                          
Joseph let a grin form across his face. "I was about to tease you for the tardiness. I guess I'll have to praise you for your kindness?"
                          
"That would be unnecessary, Sir."
                          
Joseph tsked at the use of formalities once again. "You needn't use that title."
                          
"Praises regarding my job are unnecessary then," Aesop said. A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. He shuffled closer to Joseph, now being a finger's length away from bumping against Joseph's knee. 
                          
"What are you suggesting?" Joseph asked in the same playful tone as Aesop. He moved his legs, the left one moving from above the right to beneath it, brushing against Aesop. He held a hand out, which Aesop took in return.
                          
Aesop looked rather coy when allowing himself to be pulled into Joseph's lap. Joseph hugged the man's waist, pulling him in closer. He pushed Aesop's head into the crook of his neck and rested his head on Aesop's own.