Monster or Saviour?

Levi's teeth gnawed anxiously at his bottom lip, his gaze skimming over the dense text of the clipboard detailing his latest assignment. A new addition to the Hillhouse facility awaited him, astra_strykar. The report marked them as aggressive and resistant to any contact. They hadn't even eaten for the time they had been there. Levi hated the new ones; they were fun to tame, but he'd always end up with more than a few bloody gashes.

Satisfied that he had gleaned every detail from the clipboard, Levi exchanged a nod with the guard, signaling his readiness to confront astra_strykar in their new habitat. astra_strykar's habitat was probably dingy and unkempt. The habitats always were until the facility knew they wanted to keep the new arrivals and not 'dispose of them.' The guard swiped the red-colored keycard to the door, ushering Levi into the dimly lit room. A grim expression formed on the subject's face when he noticed the mattress torn to shreds and the marks on the wall.

A subtle movement drew Levi's gaze to astra_strykar, huddled in a dark corner of the room. The monster's piercing stare bore into Levi's soul, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. With a resigned sigh, Levi lowered himself to the floor, adopting a non-threatening posture. "Hey there, astra_strykar," he ventured, his voice soft and cautious. "Are you hurt?"

Levi flinched at the accusation, his eyes widening in surprise. "N-no, I'm not a monster. I'm a test subject," he stammered, scrambling to his feet. He held up his hands in a placating gesture, hoping to ease the tension. "I'm here to help calm you down, not hurt you. My name is Levi. Can we start over?" He took a tentative step closer, his heart pounding in his chest. Levi had never been on the receiving end of this dynamic before. Usually, he was the one trying to appease the aggressive monster. The uncertainty made his stomach twist into knots. "I know this must be really scary for you," Levi continued, his voice gentling. "But I promise, I'm here to make things easier. Just talk to me, okay? Let me know what you need." He offered a small, encouraging smile, hoping to break through the icy barrier the other had erected around themselves.

Levi's smile faltered, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. He bit back a sharp retort, recognizing the pain and fear behind Sean's words. Instead, he took another slow step forward, his hands still raised in a peaceful gesture. "I understand you're scared and angry," Levi said, his tone remaining soft and gentle despite the stinging rebuke. "But trust me, my goal is to help, not manipulate you. I've worked with a lot of hostile creatures before, and we always find common ground eventually." He paused, studying Sean's face intently. "You're not a beast to be tamed, and I don't think of you that way either. Maybe we can talk about what's bothering you and find a way to make this place more bearable, together?" Levi's voice was sincere, his words chosen carefully to convey empathy and understanding.

Levi's shoulders slumped, a pained expression etched on his face. He lowered his hands, letting them hang limp at his sides. "I'm not like them," he whispered, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "I know what it's like to feel trapped and helpless. I'm not here to control you, Sean. I just want to be a friend, if that's even possible in this place." He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. "I understand your mistrust, but please, give me a chance. Let's start with something simple. Can you tell me what you need right now? Food, comfort, a listening ear? I'm willing to do what I can to help, within the facility's limits." Levi's gaze was steady, his eyes searching for a glimmer of understanding in Sean's stormy depths. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to prove that not all humans in this hellish institution were monsters in disguise.

Levi's heart ached at the despair in Sean's voice, a mirror reflecting his own deepest fears. He shook his head, his expression somber. "No, escape isn't an option, at least not easily. The Hillhouse Facility is heavily secured, designed to keep its inhabitants... contained." He hesitated, weighing his next words carefully. "But that doesn't mean we have to resign ourselves to a life of misery here. There might be small ways to make our existence more bearable, even find some semblance of purpose." Levi stepped closer, his voice taking on a determined edge. "I'm not giving up, Sean. I'll keep fighting to improve our circumstances, even if it's just in tiny increments. You don't have to face this alone. Together, we can find ways to cope and, maybe, one day, make this place slightly less hellish."

Levi's eyes flashed with anger at the accusation, but he quickly tamped it down, recognizing the fear and paranoia driving Sean's words. He took a deep breath, his voice calm and even. "I'm not in control here, Sean. No human is. The facility holds all the power, and they use it to exploit us for their twisted experiments and research." He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "I have no desire to control you or anyone else. My goal is to survive this nightmare and, if possible, make a difference in the lives of those around me. I'm not perfect, and I've made my share of mistakes, but my intentions are genuine." Levi reached out, gently touching Sean's arm. "Trust doesn't come easily, and I don't expect you to believe me right away. But I'm here, in this room with you, because I care about your well-being, not because I want to manipulate you. Let's take things slow, okay? We can start with small gestures of trust, like sharing our hopes and fears without judgment."

Levi's fingers tightened slightly on Sean's arm before he released it, a subtle gesture of reassurance. "It could be as simple as sharing a meal together, or allowing me to clean and repair this habitat to make it more comfortable for you. We could also start by talking openly about our feelings, without fear of ridicule or punishment." He took a step back, giving Sean space to process. "Trust is a delicate thing, built on small acts of kindness and honesty. It's not about grand gestures, but the everyday choices we make to support and understand each other. If you're willing, we can explore these 'gestures of trust' together, at your pace." Levi's eyes met Sean's, his expression soft and encouraging. "Remember, there's no pressure, and you can always change your mind. But I hope you'll consider giving me a chance to prove that not all humans are monsters, that we can find common ground and support each other, even in the darkest of places."

Levi's cheeks flushed at the unexpected compliment, and he looked away, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I... I try to be," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I know I'm not going to change the world here, but I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me, even if it's just a small one." He met Sean's gaze, his eyes shining with a quiet determination. "I've seen how the other test subjects and even some of the guards treat the monsters. It's cruel and dehumanizing. I don't want to be like that. I want to show that we can coexist, even help each other survive in this hellhole." Levi's voice dropped to a whisper. "So, yeah, I'm different. I care, and I'll keep fighting to make a positive impact, even if it's just in this small corner of the facility."

Levi's heart sank at Sean's words, but he nodded understandingly. "I get it. Trust doesn't come easily, especially in a place like this. It takes time and consistent actions to earn it." He took a step closer, his voice gentle. "I'm not expecting you to trust me fully right away. But I hope you'll give me the chance to prove myself, to show you that my intentions are genuine and that I'm committed to being a friend, not a foe." Levi paused, considering his next words carefully. "Maybe we can start with something small, like sharing a meal together. I can bring you some food from the cafeteria, and we can eat in silence if that makes you more comfortable. It's a tiny gesture, but it could be a start, a way for us to begin building a connection, however tentative." He offered a small, hopeful smile. "What do you say, Sean? Will you let me try to earn your trust, one small step at a time?"

Levi's smile widened, relieved that Sean had agreed to the small overture. "Of course not, I wouldn't expect that. Trust is a gradual process, built on consistent actions and open communication." He nodded towards the door. "I'll be back with some food, and we can eat here in the habitat. I'll keep my distance if you prefer, or we can sit together if you're comfortable with that." Levi's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "And who knows, maybe I'll even bring some of my infamous 'monster muffins' – they're a hit with the test subjects, despite their questionable ingredients." He turned to leave, pausing at the door to glance back at Sean. "Remember, no expectations, just a friend trying to make a difference in a small way. I'll be back soon with your food." With that, he slipped out of the habitat, already planning his culinary contribution to their tentative truce.

Levi's laughter echoed down the corridor as he made his way to the cafeteria. "Oh, they're a secret recipe, passed down through generations of test subjects. Let's just say they contain a mix of scavenged ingredients, including stale bread, questionable meat, and a special 'monster spice' blend that I concocted." He grinned to himself, imagining Sean's reaction when he tasted the muffins. "They're not for the faint of heart, but they're surprisingly tasty, and they've become a morale booster for many of us here at the Hillhouse Facility." Levi collected a tray of food, including some of the infamous muffins, and headed back to Sean's habitat. As he entered, he found the other still huddled in the corner, watching him warily. "Here you go, a culinary masterpiece to satisfy your monster cravings," Levi said, setting the tray down on a makeshift table. He gestured towards the muffins. "Care to try one? They're best served fresh, and I only have a few left." His eyes met Sean's, a spark of mischief dancing in their depths. "What do you say, Sean? Will you take a bite and see if you can handle the monster muffin challenge?"

Levi chuckled, the sound rich and inviting. "Well, when you put it that way, it doesn't sound quite so appealing, does it?" He shrugged, a grin still playing on his lips. "But trust me, the muffins are delicious, in a weird, twisted way. And hey, we're all about embracing our inner monsters here, right?" He picked up a muffin, holding it out to Sean. "Come on, it's just one bite. You can always spit it out if it's too much. But I promise, it'll be an experience you won't soon forget." Levi's eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to see the other's reaction to his culinary experiment.

Levi's grin softened, turning more sincere. "Honestly, it's not about getting anything in return. I just want to share a part of myself, even if it's something as simple as a homemade treat." He set the muffin back on the tray, his expression turning more contemplative. "But if you're curious, I suppose it could be seen as a small gesture of trust on my part. I'm willing to be vulnerable and share something personal, hoping you'll find it acceptable and maybe even enjoy it." Levi's eyes met Sean's, a hint of vulnerability flickering in their depths. "It's not much, but in a place like this, small acts of kindness and connection can mean a lot. So, if you're willing to take a chance, I'll consider it a success, even if you don't end up liking the muffin."

Levi's laughter was warm and genuine, a sound that seemed to brighten the dingy habitat. "Guilty as charged," he admitted, his grin widening. "I've found that food can bring people together, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. And hey, if sharing my infamous monster muffins can help break the ice with you, then it's worth the risk." He gestured towards the tray, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But I get it, you're not sure. It's a big ask, trusting someone else's cooking, especially when the ingredients are... unconventional. Maybe we can start with something less intense, like the canned fruit or the packaged energy bars." Levi's expression turned more serious, his gaze sincere. "The point is, I want to make you feel welcome and at ease here, even if that's just in small ways. So, tell me what you need, Sean. What can I do to make this place feel less like a prison and more like a home, even if only for a moment?"

Levi's laughter was soft and musical, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Guilty as charged," he admitted, his grin widening. "I've found that food can bring people together, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. And hey, if sharing my infamous monster muffins can help break the ice with you, then it's worth the risk." He picked up one of the muffins, holding it out to Sean with a playful flourish. "Come on, it's just one bite. You can always spit it out if it's too much. But I promise, it'll be an experience you won't soon forget."