Four To Two [Elisop]

Chapter 9

Naib was lying on his bed and looking at the ceiling of his room. He was thinking about Eli. Was he still at Aesop's house right now ? Eli told him that he loved someone but that this person would probably not love him back. He didn't tell him his name, but Naib wasn't stupid. He noticed for a while that this person was Aesop. The way his friend looked at him, how he was always asking Norton for stories about him. Honestly, who wouldn't notice ? Except for the target of this one-sided love.

Over the past month and a half since meeting Eli, the young man had fallen under his spell. His cheerful voice and bright smiles. He was everything he wasn't. However, he knew that his feelings would never be returned. He knew this very well and yet it hurt so much. It was like a thousand thorns had just pierced his heart. There was not much he could do about these feelings except try to forget them and encourage his dear friend.

_______

The sun rose and shone on Eli's still half-asleep face. It took him a good ten minutes to remember where he was and what he was doing there. He was in the guest room of Aesop's apartment and stayed for the night. He was wearing the clothes that Aesop lent him, they were in his size because the young man used to wear large clothes because he found it more comfortable.

Eli looked at the time and saw that it was still two hours before the beginning of the classes. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up his face. Drops ran down his face as he watched his reflection in the mirror. He was still trying to process the fact that he just slept under the same roof as the one he loved. He was lost in thought when the sound of the shower door woke him up.

He turned around to see Aesop coming out, his hair wet and wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. Eli's face immediately flushed at the sight and he couldn't help but stare at Aesop's body, speechless. His thin, frail body looked as if it might break if not handled gently. On the other male's side, he was beginning to feel embarrassed by his friend's gaze. Both of them were men so it wasn't so strange to see the other one like this but strangely enough, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

"Um... Can you move over...? My clothes are behind you..." murmured Aesop.

"O-oh ! S-sorry !"

Eli quickly wiped his face before excusing himself and walking out of the bathroom, his whole face on fire. Aesop watched him do so, a little puzzled, he closed the door after he left and began to dry off and get dressed, not realizing that the tips of his ears were slightly red. After a few minutes, he reached the living room where Eli was waiting, a little nervous.

"The shower is free if you want..."

Eli stiffened at Aesop's voice and stood up abruptly before going to take his shower as well. After half an hour, Eli returned to the living room, wearing the same clothes as the day before. Aesop had offered to lend him other clothes but the latter refused vehemently. He then proposed to Eli to go to have their breakfast in a coffee since it was still early and that they had time.

Eli accepted his offer and the two prepared to leave the apartment. They walked down a street near his home and entered a café with a calm and serene atmosphere. They sat down at a table and ordered. Eli ordered coffee and waffles and Aesop ordered a milkshake with pancakes and fruit coulis. The blue-eyed boy was a little surprised by the amount of sugar his friend could ingest. He preferred salty food on his side and when their order arrived, he watched Aesop engulf his food as if everything was fine.

After finishing their breakfast and exchanging some futile discussions to pass the time, an unknown voice reaches the ears of the two young men.

"Well, if it isn't Aesop...?"