We meet again [Elisop]

Chapter 8

"Tell me."

"In that case don't blame me if you regret it later..."

Aesop's body flinched at his answer, but he continued to look him straight in the eyes. He didn't know why, but Eli's sad expression made his chest hurt like hell. He wanted to take him in his arms and ask him why he had such a face. The seer brushed his hand over his cheek, his skin was so smooth and soft... His face came closer to his, and then he laid his lips on his. This time, there was nothing to prevent them from touching, no unnecessary fabric. Eli widened his eyes when the gray-haired boy entered his tongue in his mouth, he certainly did not expect it. Their kiss was languid and yet something seemed to be missing. When one of them ran out of air, their lips parted.

"Are we... lovers...?"

"No. You haven't given me your answer yet."

"I see... I think it will take a while to do so unfortunately..."

For the rest of the night, Eli lay down beside Aesop to anticipate any further incidents like earlier. They were back to back. Until a pair of arms wrapped around the diviner's waist. He was surprised but said nothing. It was a quiet, cold night. The next day everything was back to normal, the seer's enthusiasm was still present and the embalmer listened attentively to his stories, the only thing missing was his memories. In truth, not everything was the same as before. Sometimes the two men would exchange a chaste kiss. There were no feelings or emotions in these kisses. It was a way to fill the void in their hearts. 

Two weeks filled with tales and meaningless kisses passed. Aesop was finally allowed to return to work. Eli was still worried about his health so he came with him too. The other male didn't object, even if he did, he knew he couldn't convince him to leave him alone. Everything was so peaceful... Even today, they closed up the store as the last rays of the sun began to fade. The seer was about to cross the road to get to the alley across the street that led to their house, but he hadn't looked at it before, and if it hadn't been for the embalmer who pulled him back at the last moment, the same car incident would have happened again. The two men were now sitting on the sidewalk, gasping for breath.

"You... could have been killed !"

"S-sorry... I'll be more careful..."

Eli was a little shocked by what had just happened and also by his friend who had just raised his voice, which was extremely rare. It must have been truly traumatic for him who had already experienced this misfortune. He noticed that the boy's complexion was pale and that he was breathing quite heavily. The diviner moved closer to him to take him in his arms and reassure him, but as soon as he put his arms around his shoulders, he collapsed. He called out to him many times but received no answer. Panic started to take him but that was the wrong thing to do. He took a deep breath and called an ambulance from a nearby phone booth. It didn't take long for the ambulance to arrive and take away the unconscious body of the young man...

"You were so eager to see me again that another incident had to happen ?"

"Sorry..."

"Forget that. He... still hasn't recovered his memories...?"

The diviner shook his head and Emily sighed. She sounded a little harsh in her words, but she was genuinely concerned about the two men and hoped that everything would be resolved quickly. She left him alone after giving him a condition report on Aesop so he could see him. Apparently, it was simply due to the accumulation of stress, nothing serious. So Eli went back to the hospital room and sat at his bedside. The ashen-haired boy was sleeping peacefully, his expression was so calm and serene as he slept that he couldn't help but caress his cheek. At that moment, as if by some miracle, Aesop opened his eyes. 

"Aesop !"

He instinctively took him in his arms, a tear running down his face, relieved to see him awake. The first thing the boy asked him was if he could pass him his mask. The diviner smiled sadly as he passed him the piece of cloth. He still couldn't remember anything. Eli lowered his head, filled with remorse. He hadn't been able to protect him when he was hurt and now he was stuck like this. Was this another punishment he had received from the druid for breaking his oath ? Was it his fault ? Maybe he'd better give up his love for Aesop and go far away from him so that nothing happens to him...

"Everything that befalls you is my fault... I think I should disappear from your life so that no more bad things happen to you..."

He approached the male to give him a last kiss as a sign of farewell. The same kiss they shared for the first time through this mask. Suddenly, tears began to flow from Aesop's face. Eli panicked, wondering if he was in pain somewhere. He was about to get up and call a nurse to attend to him, but was held back by a pair of arms, Aesop's. He sat down and held him, not sure what else to do. Aesop buried his face in the crook of his neck and held him tightly, still crying. He then lowered his mask to speak.

"Sorry... Forgive me for forgetting... If only... If only the wind hadn't blown at that moment... And I had paid more attention..."

"Ae...sop...?"

"Please... Don't leave me..."