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A grey haired male made his way through the city, humming silently. He just got out of work, well it was his mid break. A break of two hours, and he already knew where he’d spend it. The male, Aesop Carl, made his way to a tiny Café rather close to his workplace. The male owned a flower shop in the center of the city. The people loved the flowers Aesop sold. If you’d ask anyone about where they got their flowers, they’d most likely reply by saying the name of Aesop’s shop. But wasn’t it all natural? Aesop’s shop wasn’t like the others. The male even added the meaning of the different flowers on the display. He thought of the language of the flowers as pretty important, he wanted to show it to others.
The sweet scent of cakes and coffee brought the young man back to reality. There he was, at his favourite Café. He loved all of the cakes they sold. Their coffee had a very nice taste too. He really enjoyed this place and spent most of his breaks here. Aesop even got along quite well with the employees here. He entered the Café, hearing the sound of a bell. “Welcome! What can I get you?”, said a rather deep yet soft male voice. A new voice. Since the Café wasn’t usually crowded during this time of the day, it was normal for the barista to welcome anyone. Aesop didn’t know the voice of said barista though, he must be new. Out of curiosity, Aesop looked up. What he saw made him a little speechless. A brown haired barista – around his age – with glasses and shining blue eyes. Eyes as blue as Himalayan blue poppies. The young man smiled at Aesop, waiting for a reply, being oblivious to the stares of the grey haired male. Aesop just thought he looked very pretty. Still mesmerized by the barista, he replied: “The usual please.” This only brought Aesop some questioning looks. “Pardon me, sir, but I’m new here…” the barista said, still smiling. Aesop shook his head, laughing it off slightly. “My apologies. I should have known, I’ve never seen you here before. The brown haired barista just nodded. After that, Aesop actually made his order, being more focused again. “And for who exactly might this order be?~”, the barista asked in a rather playful tone. It confused the grey haired male a little, but he just brushed it off. The barista seemed very nice and empathetic. “Aesop Carl.”, he said, watching the barista write the name on a goblet for the coffee. “You wish to eat here, am I right?” Aesop just nodded, then proceeded to pay for his order and take a seat at one of the tables. Soon after, Aesop got his piece of cake and coffee.
He didn’t even realize that the pretty barista was silently ‘watching’ him. He thought of the grey haired male as rather interesting. This must be the flower shop owner, their most common guest, coming here every day, to get cake and coffee. Eli heard that he got along well with the other employees. Maybe he could befriend him someday, that would be pretty nice, actually. Aesop seemed like good company. After finishing everything, Aesop ordered another coffee, before going back to his table and taking out a tiny sketch book. Eli was in charge of making the coffee, which meant that he sadly couldn’t look at what Aesop was sketching right now. When he brought him his coffee, he could see that Aesop was mainly sketching flowers, poppies if he wasn’t wrong. He could also see a tiny cat in the corner of the page. Aesop didn’t notice him, which is why he slightly touched his shoulder. “Your coffee.”, he said smiling. Aesop nodded as a thank you, smiling as well. Eli went back to the counter after that. Aesop smelled nice. He smelled like spring, like many different flowers. It was a very sweet scent, he must admit. Back at the counter, Eli started to take more orders again. The Café was getting more crowded again. His colleagues – Naib and Norton – would join him soon. They were the two telling him about Aesop. They told him that the male would visit the Café around the same time almost every day. They also mentioned that he owned that popular flower shop in the city. He seemed… quite interesting. “Yoooo, Eli!!”, someone said, almost shouting. “Naib, Norton, Hello.”, he said smiling. “How has your first day been so far?”, Norton asked, getting a kiss on the cheek from Naib. Right, those two were actually in a relationship. Eli forgot this rather often. Naib and Norton made it seem like a whole joke, usually, but you could feel their strong bond. “It was nice.” Eli didn’t say more. Aesop left the shop a few minutes ago. He had to get back to work, most likely. Not that this was a problem. He would come back again tomorrow. Maybe Eli wouldn’t be afraid to talk to him more then. Aesop on the other hand, was quite confused. The blue eyes of this barista… they stayed in his mind for the rest of the day. He couldn’t really focus during work, all he could see, those pretty eyes. They really were mesmerizing. He just had to hope they wouldn’t follow him into his dreams.
The next day, Aesop went to the Café again, of course. Eli already waited for him, a cocky smile on his lips when the grey haired male entered the Café. “Welcome back, Aesop.”, Eli said, hoping the other wouldn’t mind the fact he called him by his first name. Well, Naib and Nort said it would be alright yesterday, he just had to believe them, right? Aesop was so very confused again. Eli’s voice sounded like a melody in his head, and, there they were again, the pretty eyes of the barista, behind those glasses reflecting Aesop’s face. When he looked at the brunette, Aesop blushed slightly, it was embarrassing. The same thing as yesterday happened again, all he did was stare at the pretty barista, mesmerized by his looks and the smile on his lips. Eli quickly realized that Aesop seemed rather stressed. He waited until the other would calm down a little, smiling at him. “The same as usual?”, he asked, almost adding a ‘my dear’ at the end. He didn’t do that because he thought it would overwhelm the male in front of him. Aesop nodded. “Yes please.” It surprised him that Eli already knew what Aesop would order every day. It took Norton ages to memorize his daily order back then. Maybe the other male just asked him. Aesop got along quite well with Norton. He even helped him to get closer to Naib, one of his colleagues. Now the both of them were in a happy relationship. Ah, yes, love, something Aesop never really thought about. No one ever made his heart go crazy. He’s never felt butterflies in his stomach either. The grey haired male hoped to feel it someday, actually. He knew so much about love, the love language of flowers and yet, he was all by himself. He actually was quite scared it would stay like that forever but little did he know something would happen soon.
The grey haired was lost in his thoughts again, not realizing that Eli ad brought him his order. After a few minutes, Eli chuckled. He put the coffee and cake on the table, and got loser to Aesop. “Aesop~”, he hummed close to the ear of said young man. There it was again, the sweet blush on Aesop’s cheeks whenever Eli said something. “H-Huh…?”, was all he could get out. Eli simply chuckled and moved away from the other. Aesop could still feel Eli’s hot breath against his ear and neck, a weird sensation. Aesop was indeed confused. The pretty barista just was confusing! “Aesop, your coffee will get cold.”, Eli added, smiling innocently. Aesop nodded, “Thank you…ah”, Aesop paused. He never actually asked the pretty barista about his name. Now he got quite curious. The barista had to have a pretty name. “May I ask what your name is?”, Aesop then asked, smiling slightly. Eli just smiled. “But of course! I’m Eli Clark, Eli is just fine!”, he said. “Ah… well, thank you Eli.” Aesop said. Eli… what a pretty name, Aesop thought. Especially coming out of his mouth, was a thought Eli added. Now he was the one who was blushing slightly. Aesop sounded like an angel. His whole aura… Eli believed Aesop would get more interesting everyday from now on. “Enjoy your break then!”, Eli said smiling before returning to work. He really had to work but that didn’t mean he couldn’t stare at Aesop from time to time. Aesop didn’t even realize the other one was staring at him from time to time even though he did exactly the same. After eating, Aesop got up and went back to the counter to pay for his order. He smiled. “How about you visit me at the flower shop someday when you’re free?” Aesop blurted out, blushing a little. He didn’t even realize what he had said until it was too late. “I’d love to do that!”, Eli said, smiling brightly. His smile was sweet, in Aesop’s eyes. Eli was such a great person. Aesop hoped he’d have a great life and enjoyed his work as a barista. “Well, see you tomorrow then, Aesop~”, Eli said. “Yes”, Aesop smiled, “See you tomorrow, Eli.” After that, Aesop left the Café, getting back to his workplace.
The following days went rather smoothly, Aesop spent his breaks at the Café, talking more and more to Eli every day. The two of them got quite close pretty fast, both obviously having a crush on each other but still being oblivious to their feelings. Naib and Norton thought of this as rather amusing. “They’re like us back then” “I know, it’s painful to watch, can’t they just finally kiss?” Norton laughed at that. Naib being so straight forward about that was just funny. “Oh come on, Naib, you would have never actually made the first move.”, Norton said, “We’re as well only together thanks to Aesop, don’t forget that.” Naib punched him in the shoulder. “Because you were too much of an embarrassed idiot to even get close to me! That’s why Aesop helped!” Considering that both of them were too shy to confess, never. But no one actually had to worry about their bickering. It was all natural for Naib and Norton. They weren’t the romantic type of people, unlike Eli and Sop. “no but for real, Nort, I can’t hear Eli simp for Sop in front of us any longer.” Norton nodded. For once, his boyfriend was right. They had to help them. He thought about it a little. “You know what Naib, I have an idea, actually.” Naib looked at Nort rather questioning. “Remember when Eli told us that Aesop asked him to go to his flower shop when he’s free?” Naib nodded. “Let’s get Eli that day off so that he can finally get ‘his dearest’ flowers. At the same time, let’s give Sop Eli’s number.” Norton grinned slightly. His plan was going to be great. Naib was a little confused, still, he just nodded. He knew he couldn’t stop Norton anyways. “Well then, let’s go” he said, watching Aesop and Eli again. After Aesop left and Eli got back to them, Nort and Naib told Eli that he could get a day off sometime next week. They told him he needed a break, perhaps. Eli just agreed. It wasn’t like he couldn’t see Aesop on that day anyways. He’d just visit him at work.
The following days went by rather fast. Aesop and Eli had their small talks every day and Aesop really enjoyed the company of the other and the feelings he gave him. He wasn’t sure what exactly it was though. He questioned if he actually was in love. It wasn’t impossible at this point. It felt exactly like the feeling Norton described back then. Aesop sighed. He already looked forward to his talk with Eli today. He really wished to see him more often than just those two hours a day. Maybe he should ask him out for the weekend. To his disappointment, he didn’t hear the oh so sweet “welcome, Sop~” from Eli but a rather neutral one from Nort. “Isn’t Eli here today?”, he asked. Norton shook his head. “Nope, he took a day off, did he forget to tell you?” “Perhaps,, well then, the usual.”, Aesop said, smiling rather sadly. Took his usual seat and waited for his coffee. Today would be rather boring, without Eli, but the brunette would be back tomorrow. He simply knew. A day wasn’t a week, and yet, he missed him. He really adored Eli, didn’t he? Norton brought Aesop his coffee, grinning. “In case you get bored.”, he said, the went back to the counter. Aesop stared at the goblet. ‘Here, Eli’s number, loverboy ;3’ was written on it, under that sentence a number. Aesop blushed slightly. Taking sip of his hot drink, blushing a little. Nort didn’t have to call him that, really. Soon after, he saved the number even though he didn’t dare to text Eli.
After his break, Aesop went back to the flower shop. Aesop still hasn’t messaged Eli. He wanted to, really. He wanted to at least say hi, but he was too scared. During work, all he could think about was Eli and his pretty eyes and smile. Everything about the brunette was beautiful. His looks… his eyes, his smile, his personality but also his talent for making coffee. Shortly after Aesop’s break ended, someone entered the shop. “Welcome how can I-“, Aesop stopped mid sentence when Eli came into his sight. “Eli…”, he mumbled. “Hello there, Sop~”, the brunette said, grinning. “Didn’t I promise to visit whenever I have a day off.” “Ah, yes..”, Aesop smiled. Sweet. “Do you need anything, Eli?” “Except the fact that I absolutely needed to see you? Not really.” Eli chuckled, Aesop blushed. “Well well, actually, I wanted to get a bouquet of red tulips.”, Eli grinned. Red tulips? Aesop was confused. Did Eli plan to confess to anyone? Maybe getting over Eli would be the best??? Still, Aesop had the feeling he shouldn’t. “Of course, give me a minute.”, he said, grabbing some of his utensils and red tulips. Then he started preparing a bouquet, a very pretty one. Eli watched him, smiling. If only Aesop knew. “I’m done.”, the grey haired male said, handing Eli the bouquet. “It’s very pretty.”, the brunette said. “I’m glad you like it.” Aesop said. After that, Eli decided to pay for the bouquet, smiling. “I’ll be leaving then, not that I distract you at work.”, Eli said, walking to the door. “See you, Sop~” “See you.” After Eli left, Aesop sighed. Why did Eli want red tulips??? The brunette knew the meaning too well. He got quite invested into learning flower language ever since they met. Aesop shook his head, he had to focus on work.
When Aesop was about to close the doors of the flower shop, someone put a hand in front of his eyes. “Surprise~”, a voice said, followed by giggling. “E-Eli???”, Aesop just asked, completely confused. “Exactly.” The brunette took his hand away from Aesop’s eyes so that he could close the door of his shop. Then, he turned the grey haired male around, so that they could look at each other, both of them blushing. “May I take you on a walk to the parc, Sop?”, Eli asked before handing the bouquet from earlier to Aesop. Said young man accepted the flowers, blushing even stronger now. Was he worried for no reason? Did Eli plan on confessing to him? Aesop needed a moment to think, then he nodded. “Of…of course Eli..”, he mumbled. “How wonderful.” The other one said, taking his hand. The two of them walked to the parc in silence, fingers intertwined. Both of them felt quite happy. Eli was happy that he finally felt ready to confess and Aesop, he just felt happy that Eli felt the same as him. On their way to the parc, it actually started to snow, very pretty. Eli had this moment planned for quite some time already, now. He wanted his confession to be perfect. They stopped in front of a lake, watching how the snow kept on falling, painting everything in white. “Aesop…”, Eli started, he looked at the other now, Aesop looking at him too. “Eli.” Eli smiled. “I must admit, my dear, you surprise me every day. When I first met you, I felt like entering a whole new world. I was fully mesmerized by you, Aesop. When I first saw you, I thought of you as very pretty. You also just seemed so very very nice, I’m glad I got the possibility to talk to you more often.” Aesop blushed again. Eli’s words were so sweet, and he wasn’t even done yet. “When we got closer, I started to realize that I like you much more than I thought I ever would. I, Eli Clark, am deeply in love with you, Aesop Carl.” Eli got closer to Aesop, scooping Aesop’s cheeks in his hand. Their lips were centimeters apart. Aesop could feel Eli’s breath against his lips. This made him blush a lot. Eli had a slight blush on his cheeks as well. “May I?”, he asked. As soon as Aesop nodded, Eli closed the gap between their lips, kissing him in the most gentle, most emotional and loving way he could. Aesop kissed back, putting just as much emotion into it as Eli. When they parted from each other, both of them smiled. Now, Aesop was about to say something. “You know Eli, I love you too.”, he said, hugging the other. Eli hugged him back. For a short while, they simply enjoyed each other’s company. “Eli…” Aesop then mumbled. “Hmm?”, Eli asked, playing with Aesop’s ponytail. “Would you like to come over? We can make some hot chocolate… and watch a movie.” Eli nodded before getting away from Aesop. “Let’s go then.” He said, taking Aesop’s hand. “Yes.”, Aesop replied, walking home with Eli. Little did they know, someone watched them. Naib gave Norton a high five. “Nort, you’re a genius!!” Naib saud. “I know.” Now they could get home as well. Really, why did it take them so long? They were so cheesy, geez. In the end they still stole Aesop’s hot chocolate idea.
End.