Four To Two [Elisop]

Chapter 4

Norton was leaning against the wall not far from where Eli was standing. Given his reaction, he probably overheard the conversation and there was also a good chance that he knew the reason behind Aesop's silence. The young man approached him in order to get the answers to his questions.

"Why is this a sensitive topic...?" asked Eli innocently.

"You... Are you in love with Aesop ?"

Eli's face flushed at Norton's questioning. How could he possibly know ? Was it that obvious when you looked at him ? The only person he'd told about his feelings was Luca, and he doubted Luca was the kind of person who would go around telling anyone else's secret. Norton let out a laugh before resuming,

"I doubt he's realized it. He's not really emotionally responsive as you can see..."

The young man's heartbeat began to slow at this announcement. It was true that Aesop seemed rather distant with those around him and even Norton despite the fact that they were good friends. This part of him was still endearing and adorable from Eli's point of view. He cleared his throat before continuing, he still hadn't learned why the male had reacted like that.

"So, who is this Joseph to Aesop ?"

"Hm ~ What makes you think I'm going to tell you ? It's none of my business but Aesop's isn't it ?" he said in a mocking tone.

Seriously ? After stirring up his curiosity so much, he was going to leave him wanting more ? Norton suddenly started laughing, was it because of Eli's scowl ? His eyebrows were slightly frowned, annoyed by the answer of the man. After a moment, Norton regained his composure, wiping a tear from his eye.

"I'm just kidding, I'll tell you..."

Eli's face lit up hearing this. However, perhaps he would have preferred not to know the truth. Ex-boyfriend, that was the relationship the two men shared. Now that he thought about it, Eli had never looked to see if Aesop was already dating anyone. He was glad the man was single right now, but at the same time, he didn't know if that joy was really a good thing.

"Eli."

A voice reached the man's ears. Norton already left to join Aesop and Luca a little farther. The one who had just called him was none other than Naib. He wore the same slightly irritated expression he always had. Naib wasn't really a great speaker but he could sometimes give good advices. Eli told him his feelings but he didn't say that they were for Aesop, he only told Luca. Why ? He met Naib only a week after Luca and yet, a part of him didn't want to reveal it to him for some unknown reason.

"What were you and Campbell talking about ?"

"Norton ? O-oh, nothing at all..." he mumbled.

"You can't lie you know ? Did he say anything unpleasant to you ?"

"N-no ! Actually, I think I was the one in the wrong..."

Naib's expression seemed a bit more stern but Eli couldn't understand what his friend was feeling at the time. Naib didn't ask him any more questions though. Eventually, the tour of the gallery came to an end. Aesop and Eli didn't talk too much together after what happened and the group split up. Aesop and Norton on their side and Eli and Luca on theirs. Naib had something to do with his club so he left directly after.

A few seconds after they separated, Eli, who was walking with Luca, noticed a peculiar figure in front of them. There was a young man with a pale complexion and silky hair tied up simply. He had seen this man somewhere before. He saw that the man was not moving and was focused on something in particular. The blue-eyed boy also turned and saw... Aesop. Everything seemed to make sense in his head and then in a whisper...

"Joseph...?"