#aeseli

“Close your eyes…” Aesop said. Eli politely nodded and obeyed, his long eyelashes resting upon gold-tinted cheeks. Aesop could not stop himself from admiring Eli for two moments too long. Embarrassed, he quickly snatched a brush and nervously swept his hair out of his face. His heart sped up as he leaned in closer to the man who had been plaguing his thoughts for months. He thought of the first day Eli had come up to him and started a conversation. How neat his clothes and mannerisms were in contrast to his messy brown hair. How Aesop had always wished to see his eyes and feel his hair.

A small smile emerged as Aesop pushed those thoughts away. Aesop carefully brushed Eli’s face, but not a moment later Eli laughed! Aesop stiffened. Why was Eli laughing? He could not have messed up this early!

“I’ve never had my makeup done before. It is… quite nice.” Eli said, leaning closer to Aesop. Aesop leaned back in return; Eli was making him nervous. Too nervous. He liked it? Aesop had hardly done anything, yet he says he likes it. Aesop scrutinized the other’s smiling face and returned more relaxed to his work. 

By now, there was nothing left of the morning sun’s rays except the warmth on the men’s faces. Aesop had pulled the gold right from the sun and draped it over Eli’s eyelids, so he shimmered with every move. Eli had always rivaled the sun in beauty and vitality, so Aesop conquered the sun for him. He traced the gold over the scars as well intimating an illuminated god.

“Open your eyes.” Aesop said softly.

“Do I look pretty, Aesop?” Eli asked. Aesop froze once again; of course, Eli was pretty, way more than pretty. He was the morning sun, the clearest ocean, and the brightest stars. Eli was the world. His beauty exceeded eathly descriptors, but how could Aesop say anything like this? Eli’s usually steady smile wavered. Aesop remained silent. Eli cautiously called out Aesop’s name.

“Yes, very pretty.” Aesop curtly replied. The sparkle in Eli’s eyes faded just a touch at the brevity of Aesop’s words. Aesop’s face contorted in worry, knowing he said the wrong thing. Eli quickly thanked Aesop and left, taking all the light in Aesop with him. Aesop felt empty. He could have told Eli every last thing he saw and felt, but he did not. He sat and stared into his empty room, eyes focused on something beyond physical. He stayed that way for a while.