More Elisop Oneshots

Hypocrisy

Modern AU

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"Sorry, Aesop. I think we'd better break up."

"I understand."

The young woman had a sad expression despite the smile she tried to keep on her face. They had been together for two years but that chapter was finally coming to an end. They had had some good times but looking at their relationship from another angle, it probably didn't go beyond friendship.

There were no hard feelings in this separation. No feelings that needed any attention.

This day had ended with the sweetness of his berry tea.

It wasn't Vera's fault. No one was to blame and he had already left all that in the past now. They had remained friends and then a year passed. Aesop hadn't changed much, twelve months isn't as long as you think. Some things had evolved though. He had graduated. He didn't have many friends and rarely went out to begin with, so without external distractions it was pretty simple.

He still made the effort to come to the graduation party, Vera had forced him under the pretext that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and he couldn't say no to her. Just as he did not manage to rebel when the young woman insisted to take care of his attire for this special evening. It was obvious that she had a hidden purpose behind all these efforts but the result was worth looking at.

Later, when they arrived at the place, it didn't take a minute before the two friends split up again, Vera going to join other acquaintances after making sure that Aesop didn't mind. Fortunately, that was fine with him too. He preferred to stay away from the crowd anyway. He may have spent the last few years studying the same curriculum as all these people, but none of them had ever paid attention to him, and that went the same way for the gray-eyed man.

At least the food wasn't too disgusting.

"Aesop! I didn't expect to see you here!"

His body froze as an upbeat voice called out to him louder than necessary. He turned around and saw a dark-haired man walk in holding a glass of champagne in his hand, a big smile drawn on the man's lips. What was his name again... A few glances were given to them at the same time and that's when he remembered the one who could befriend anyone. A big guy who had managed to remember him without fail, Eli Clark.

"I have to admit, I wasn't planning on coming in the first place," he replied.

"Really? I'm very glad to see you face to face, it would have been a bit sad to part without even saying goodbye..."

Eli was a strange person. They had chatted a few times, as part of academic life, but it definitely wasn't enough to declare themselves fellow brothers or something. Still, the blue-eyed man spoke to him as he would speak to someone who was dear to him, not the stranger he really was. 

"You still have my number so it's not like we can never see each other again."

"You're right." the dark-haired man said with a laugh.

"I just noticed, aren't you with Vandergaw tonight?"

Eli widened his eyes before rubbing the back of his neck with embarrassment.

"Actually... We broke up not too long ago. Love dies one day you know..."

"That makes two of us then."

Aesop sketched a weak smile at the male, it had been a long time since the muscles of his face had relaxed like this. Eli truly possessed a gift. It was the first time he felt so comfortable with someone. The last time he experienced this was when his mother was still living with him. 

"Oh, I saw you coming with Vera so I thought you were still together."

"Unfortunately not. But it's better this way, trust me."

"As long as you're both happy." Eli gave her a soft smile. "What do you say we grab a drink at a bar not too far away, the atmosphere is calmer there than here and I know the owner well."

"Why not."

The dark-haired man's face lit up and he suddenly grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the party room, a light, enthusiastic silly look emanating from him. That night, they slipped away like two teenagers sneaking out to escape all their worries. 

Eli was wonderful. That night had brought them together in many ways and after some persistence on the part of the dark-haired man to open Aesop's heart, they began to date. Eli was happy. Aesop was happy too. But... something seemed to be missing.

"You... don't like me, do you?"

This hit him like a rock breaking a window. He should have known Eli would notice at some point, but he was too stubborn to figure it out. He felt sorry for the other man for breaking this perfect dream.

Still, they decided to keep the relationship going. Maybe because Eli loved Aesop, maybe because Aesop felt he needed Eli. It wasn't really clear.

Aesop was now lying in the same bed as Eli. His sleeping face was as beautiful as ever. His fingers brushed his cheek and he wondered how such a person who was brimming with light could find anything interesting in someone as dull as him. The dark-haired man slowly opened his eyes at that moment, a deep blue coming to paralyze the ashen-haired one. Without him being able to control himself, tears flowed down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry- I'm sorry, Eli- Chaining you to me... I know it's selfish of me and I don't deserve someone like you but I want to believe that I can fall in love with you."

His heart tightened in his chest and he felt like he was drowning. Eli was a little distraught, his mind still half foggy from the peculiar wake-up, and he simply took Aesop into his arms and hugged him tightly as he always did.

"It's all right, Aesop. I'm the one who decided to stay. Besides, I fell in love with you at first sight so I wasn't planning on letting you go either." He let out a chuckle. "Take your time to get your thoughts sorted out. I'll always stand by your side no matter what and whatever you choose in the end."

Aesop's face was completely red, a mixture of the effect caused by the tears and his throbbing heart to the kisses Eli covered him with for comfort. The warmth enveloping him soothed him. One day, maybe he would find the answer to his questions.