More Elisop Oneshots

Flowers For You

Fantasy AU - Day 2 of the Elisop Week : Night Date

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The moon lit up the sky and its rays fell on the ice forest, each tree taking on the appearance of rock-clear crystals. The diamond glade was divided in two by a path covered with a thin layer of powdery, downy snow. And on this pristine path, the lord of the realm crossed on the back of an impressive animal. It was similar to a stag, but probably twice its size, and flowers seemed to keep blossoming on its antlers, leaving a floral trail behind its footsteps. The rider on its back had nothing to envy of its presence though, his silky hair was pure white like the landscape around them and his eyes, gray like the stains one could discern on the moon.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked in a voice so calm that the passing icy breeze almost erased his words.

"Be a bit more patient, we're almost there." came the reply, as the speaker turned out to be none other than the stag guiding him through the forest.

Obviously, it was now undeniable that the beast had nothing that could be described as normal or usual, nonetheless, everything in these lands was far from similar to ordinary mortals. The realm of time lay in another realm accessible only to envoys of the masters of the seasons and themselves. Millenniums had passed since the creation of the world, but time remained the same, and it had been many centuries since Spring followed Winter.

Lulled by the steady rhythm of the stag's steps, the white-haired man let his torso rest against his mane, his arms wrapping around his neck to feel the warmth coming from the veins beneath his skin. His fur was soft as silk unlike a normal stag, and if it weren't for the fact that they had finally arrived at their destination, he might have dozed off just like that.

So the man climbed down gracefully from the animal's back before turning towards it. A swirl of leaves formed around the latter, causing a curtain of foliage to hide him for what lasted only a few seconds before dispersing into invisible particles, revealing the silhouette of a rather tall man with brown hair whose eyes, similar to two sapphires, rested on him accompanied by a broad smile.

The dark-haired man immediately embraced the other man now that he was in his human form.

"Haven't you had enough already...?"

"It's not the same thing! I'd rather touch you with my own hands!"

"Never mind..." He cleared his throat so as not to show that he was embarrassed by the ambiguity of his words even though he was surely the only one who thought so. "Is this the place you wanted to show me?"

"You never lose track, Aesop."

"Call it being focused."

The dark-haired man rolled his eyes. He then grabbed his partner's hand to lead him a little further into the clearing. The path became narrower as they moved on so Aesop understood why he had preferred to walk, at one point they even passed over an ice bridge and he was sure that getting a stag over it would have been no mean feat. It was surprising, though, because although they'd been identical from birth to this day, the space around them kept changing, and even as master of the place, it was impossible for Aesop to know what every corner of his domain looked like.

"By the way, Eli, how come you were wandering around the winterlands? I thought you found the place... too cold."

"Ha ha ha...!" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... I know it's not easy for you to visit me while, as Spring, I can adapt better between hot and cold temperatures." He sketched a gentle smile and placed a kiss on Aesop's forehead. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't like bathing in the sun, but I appreciate the snow you create even more."

"So..."

"This place exists because you're here so don't I have the right to want to admire it?"

Aesop blushed at his words, his heart missing a beat as he tugged at Eli's coat as if to force it to hide every inch of his skin.

"Don't forget to cover up well..."

The dark-haired man let out a laugh as he tidied up his clothes and they resumed their walk.

"It's here."

A huge ice tree greeted them on the side of a lake whose water was as clear and brilliant as crystal due to the moon's rays reflecting off it. If they listened closely, they could hear faint notes emanating from the tree, the tinkling creating a peaceful melody that went perfectly with the snow-covered landscape.

"Amazing... I didn't know such a thing existed here."

"The realm is so huge that it's not surprising you didn't. I was really lucky to fall upon it and I knew you would like it too."

"Thank you, Eli."

"Of course," he chuckled, bringing Aesop closer to him, one arm around his waist and their hands still holding each other, "May I have this dance?"

"It would be a pleasure if you're my partner."

"Do you see anyone else here?" said Eli while rolling his eyes jokingly.

"No one but a gorgeous man in front of me." he answered with a faint smile.

At these words, Eli dragged Aesop along to the rhythm of the tinkling ice. One, two, three. One, two, three. On and on. Their footsteps drew themselves across the snow, tracing lines that weaved together to form a rosette. So close to each other, Eli could clearly see Aesop's long white eyelashes drooping and his thin peach lips, so beautiful and bewitching that he could hardly restrain himself from kissing him, spoiling the moment.

The white-haired man let his head rest in the hollow of his shoulder, his body pressed against his. He'd been particularly busy with the coming of winter over the last few days, and had hardly had time to rest since.

"Tired?"

"A bit. But the fact that you're here with me is therapeutic enough."

"Don't overdo it all the same, you're irreplaceable Aesop."

"There are plenty of other winter spirits who could take over."

He laughed weakly, but Eli's expression was far from giggly. Another spirit? It was a ridiculous idea, and just thinking about it made the bitterness that washed over him big enough to wilt the winter flowers around them. No one was capable of creating such a beautiful winter as Aesop and imagining having to get used to working with someone else, no longer seeing the white-haired one so meticulously crafting every snowflake... simply broke his heart.

"I can't accept anyone but you."

Eli rested his hand against Aesop's cheek, his blue eyes filled with sadness.

"Don't make that face, Winter's guardian isn't likely to change for a few millennia."

"So what... I should forget you when it does?"

"Of course not, I'll always be by your side no matter what form I take." Aesop placed his hands on Eli's face in turn, moving closer to kiss his lips. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd take this so seriously."

"If it involves you, I'm ready to turn against the Time Master."

"He'd turn you down before you even entered his palace."

"Maybe, but I'm not giving up."

They exchanged a laugh as Eli resumed his role of leading the waltz, his eyes not leaving the other for a single second. Aesop might have thought he was exaggerating or making a big deal out of nothing, but Eli had always been sincere about him and this way he looked at him was just one of the many ways he knew to show him how precious he was to him.