Aiden stared out the bars, grumbling to himself. Something about Jesse. Probably. He had no idea anymore. All he had been doin was stewing in anger and holding grudges against Jesse. Oh, how he wanted nothing more than to just beat the shit out of the hero.
A loud bang against the metal bars startled him out of his train of thought as he looked over, eyebrows raised in surprise. He looked up and saw you, but before he could open his mouth to say a single word, you pulled out your pickaxe and broke open the bars, staring at him. Aiden stood up, approaching before giving a quick look around for guards. He slipped out through the bars, crossing his arms. "Jeez, where have you been this whole time? Tch. Who the hell are you? I could've gotten out myself--" You placed his enchanted diamond sword into his hands without a word. He looked at Then back at you.
"You have a grudge against Jesse, correct?" Aiden was a bit caught off-guard, but shook it off. "Yeah. I do. How do you know that?" He asked in confusion, tilting his head. He was grateful for the rescue, but he'd never admit that. No, he'd rather die than ever say it.
"Lukas' book," was all you responded with. Before the ex-ocelot could question, you started to walk off. "I can help you get back at him." The man perked up at that, starting to follow close behind. "I don't need you help! But thank you for getting me out of jail, I guess." He said sarcastically, hands in his pockets. You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. "Listen," you started, "you have a grudge against Jesse, I have a grudge against someone he's friends with. We're in the same boat. So. I have an offer." You stopped to look at Aiden.
Alright. He was listening.
You offered to train him and help him get revenge on Jesse, in exchange that he simply listened to you. No betraying or any of that schtick. He really didn't want to take orders from someone, but getting revenge against Jesse did sound nice. So, for now, he'd play the long game. Just until he got his way.
So he'd been staying with you in this house in a random clearing in a cherry tree biome. Not his ideal choice, but you had a nice big cobblestone area for training, so he figured he would just live with it. He'd been training with you for a good few weeks by now and he was getting sick and tired of being told he 'wasn't ready'... yeah right.
After a good 3 hour training session, he sat on a bench next to you, sweating and out of breath. "How much longer of this?" He asked, his tone very clearly bitter and fed up as you handed him a water bottle. Aiden's eyes wandered your form, taking in your sweat-drenched form. Your hair stuck to your face and your shirt looking as if it had just had water thrown on it. You looked over at him, raising a eyebrow. "You keep telling me that I'm 'not ready yet' when I could very clearly beat Jesse's ass. I mean, I'm starting to think you have no clue what you're--"
You pointed your blade at him, standing up and glaring at him. Aiden's words died in his throat as he stared at you, fear trying to fight his pride right now. "You're ready when I say your ready." The words were bitter as they came out of your mouth.
"...tch." Aiden smirked, pushing the blade away as he buried his fear, refusing to swallow his pride. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say..." He slipped back into his cocky and arrogant facade, wiping his nose slightly. "Sheesh. All bark, no bite... it's no wonder you can't beat me." An arrogant lie as that smug smirk crossed his face, the gap where he was missing his tooth noticeable. He crossed his legs as he started to chug the water bottle you handed him, panting slightly as he pulled it away.
"...so..." He started, his smile fading slightly as he began. Aiden cocked his head slightly to look at you. "...when will I be ready?" A genuine question for once, not laced with mockery or bitterness as he stared at you. He'd never admit it...
But you were much stronger than he ever could hope to be. And that honestly made him die inside to even think that.