WHO: Felipe & Aslan WHEN: May 15 (Afternoon) WHERE: Just a Cafe / Hotel Room SUMMARY: Aslan tries to explain why the yeyesitos have descended upon Taboga Town...and makes some suggestions about ways to spend rainy days? CW: Smol suggestion of maybe spice, but who can say. Implied nudity. Abandonment.
Aslan could not see the ocean from where he sat. He could hear it, just a little, over the drone of rain, but the sheets of water coming down from the sky obscured it entirely from the booth of the coffee shop he had taken residence in. He wasnāt sure if he would be able to take his exams, since he was supposed to be evacuated for magical reasons, but he figured it couldnāt hurt to study anyway, since the only other thing there was to do was be worried, and he preferred to avoid unpleasant pastimes like that.
He breathed in the chocolatey steam from his drink and hummed thoughtfully. He certainly would never have imagined anything like this happening to him in his lifetimeā¦ It was a little scary, but somehowā¦exciting. It reminded him a little of how Aditi had felt standing on that bluff, listening to Badr talking about how a Calamity was coming. There was a little dread, but there was a sense of purpose, too. He didnāt even have a crystal now, but still, he felt itā¦the idea that of purpose. He took a sip and then rapped on the glass when he saw a familiar head passing by outside.
Felipe wasnāt sure why all these yeyesitos decided to set base over at his island, but Aslan had asked for his help, so helping he did, making sure everyone had a place to stay, and running around to keep them out of trouble. It seemed like the Bravo had made sure to provide for the lodging one way or another, but he got places for the stragglers.
What he hadnāt foreseen was such a strong rain, and even when he had carried an umbrella, his entire outfit was damp or wet here and there. Felipe was caught in a bad spot, and the best place he could find shelter was by the entrances of buildings and stores until he reached someplace to dry up.
Before he could continue his walk, he heard the crystal-like sound, so he looked over, noticing a familiar face on the other side behind droplets of water. The rain only seemed to be growing in power, so he stepped into the shop, closing the umbrella once inside, dripping water.
āHey,ā Felipe said casually as he approached the table, running a hand through his hair to try and brush the droplets of water away.
Felipe had been wet that night back in MarchāAslan remembered that very well. He had not known how to feel about the water sticking to Felipeās skin then. It had given him a certain kind of feeling that had only really become partially clear by the very end of the night. He scratched his beardā¦that had been two months ago, and he still hadnāt followed up on that kiss. He just hadnāt found a good time yet. Somehow, though he was not given to being very romanticā¦still, somehow he felt like it was very important. Maybe more important than any kiss he had had before. He had wondered if he had the feeling because he had not kissed a man before, but he didnāt think that was it. The reasoning behind it all was inexplicable, really. Just deep down, though it seemed silly to fuss over something as simple as a kiss, he justā¦knew it needed to be special and right.
He realized he was staring a little and not saying anything as Felipe came over to the table. Somehow, soaked from the rain, he looked just as nice as that night, and the feeling from that time swelled up in Aslan for a moment before he thought to look down and put his mug on the table.
āHey,ā he repeated, smiling at the cocoa. ā...thanks, for all the help getting everyone settled. All of thisā¦ā It was very strange, but maybe there was no reason to point that out. He gestured at the chair. āYou probably canāt dogwalk in rain like thisā¦do you want to sit with me for a few?ā
The staring was something that he was learning to deal with, but Felipe felt self-conscious as the silence stretched out, feeling embarrassment bloom on his cheeks, but he cast his gaze away to hide it. A drop of water rolled down his chin, clinging to his beard so he rubbed it with the back of his hand.
āItās fine, you know Iām happy to help you.ā Felipe hoped he wouldnāt get anything wet in the shop, but he was tired from fleeing the rain, so he took Aslan on his offer and sat in front of him. āI just had delivered the last dog when the rain betrayed me,ā he shrugged, looking at his sleeves and patting them.
āIāll stay, but what are you up to?ā Felipe looked at the other man again.
When Felipe was sweet, he was like hot cocoa. It was the warm, full feeling that Aslan got inside. His broad hands linked around his cup, and he thought to lower his eyes for a moment, enjoying the soft warmth spreading through himācompletely independent of his steaming drink.
āYouāre helping a lot of people,ā Aslan said softly. āAndā¦I guess him, too.ā He paused, thoughtfully, looking up to scratch his cheek. His brow furrowed. āSomehow, I had this senseā¦that she couldnāt really count on anyone. Not really. Her family. Her closest friend. There was only one personā¦ā He stopped, looking back at Felipe. āI donāt know why I would think that. Maybe I justā¦conflated what I know now withā¦ Um. Well, I guess Iām just thinking about the reason all of us are here right now? How to put itā¦? If people are alwaysā¦leaving you behindā¦ I guess you can either choose to be alone, or toā¦try to forgive them. So I guess thatās why I came here. That and the big tree. Is any of this making sense?ā
āHim? ā¦Her?ā Felipe was not keeping up and his face couldnāt conceal his confusion as he struggled to keep up with the things the taller man was saying. āAre you going on about the tree no one but a few of you can see, again?ā He looked like a miffed and wet cat, groaning and rubbing his face.
āLook, I see it this wayābecause thatās the only part that made sense to meāwhen people abandon you, itās not about forgiving others for doing it, but forgiving yourself and realizing it wasnāt your fault, and that you still deserveā¦ā He made a face at how corny he sounded. āYou still deserve kindness and to be loved.ā
āAll of us who are hereā¦we can see the tree,ā Aslan replied, his face as placid as ever for a moment before his eyes widened just slightly. āThis isnāt some kind of cult thing, I promise. Itāsā¦well, I actually tried to pretend it wasnāt happening at first. But last yearā¦I started having a dream about a strange room. There were all these pretty crystals in the room, and someone was at the center of itā¦I had the dream over and over again. I noticed that other people were talking about something like it on the network, and thatāsā¦what made me try to ignore it. It was just too strange that other peopleāpeople I didnāt know at allāwere dreaming the same thing as me.ā
He frowned a little. It seemed unlikely that Felipe could believe him just on that. He had no proof of anything. Even if he did have a guardian and a crystalāeven if Aether or Elpis was aroundānormal people couldnāt seem to see or hear or interact with Elysium magic.
āIā¦used to be a girl named Aditiā¦in a place called Elysium?ā he finally said. It wasnāt proof. It probably made him sound delusional. But it was the truth. āAnd I was born to be one of the people who came together to save that world. Elysium, I mean. Exceptā¦I think maybe we didnāt save it. Instead, somehow, we ended up here.ā He laughed then, scratching his cheek and looking away. āIām not this imaginative, soā¦I hope you understand that Iām not making this up.ā
āIf it was anyone else but you saying all of these things, Iād be so mad,ā Felipe confessed to his favoritism, sighing and folding his arms over his chest because he was starting to get a bit cold.
āBut you are right, all of this doesnāt sound like something youād imagineā¦ and Iāve read the things others have said.ā His lips pressed into a thin line. āSo youāre like Sailor Moon, except youāre a boy this time,ā he snickered, pulling a cheeky grin, āItās hard to believe itās real, but it must be real to all of you, at least.ā
Aslan relaxed a little. It was just a minute sinking into his chair, but he did sink just a little, relieved that Felipe would give him the benefit of the doubt. āI honestlyā¦canāt prove that any of this is true,ā he said, ābut Iām glad you didnāt run away.ā He rubbed his chin, thinking about if he should say more or not. āI know that you canāt see the tree. No one but usā¦Elysium peopleā¦ Yeah, only we can. But the tree isā¦dangerous to us? If I go near it, it makes me feel really tired. Itās drainingā¦energy from us. Thatās why heā¦the one whoā¦organized the evacuationā¦ā He sighed, rubbing his brow.
āA long time ago, he was my best friend, but then he just left without a word. Like everyone else, except one person.ā Aslan smiled wryly and shook his head. āItās probably stupid, butā¦I think Iām still mad about it? And I guess Iām a little worried about all of this. Back then, when things were starting to heat up, he justā¦disappeared. Maybe he is different now. I donāt know. But Iām still kind of worried heās going to abandon ship again. I guessā¦itās hard to trust him. But then, I guess heās also kind of the oneā¦organizing any of this. I want to complain, but maybe thatās unfair. All Iām doing right now is sitting in this cafe, after allā¦ā He paused, smiling shyly. ā...Enjoying time with you. I guess what heās doingā¦has allowed me that luxury?ā
Felipe did want to get up and leave. The things Aslan was saying were increasingly ridiculous, so his brow was knitted as he listened in. The things he did when he had a crush on a weird boy like thisā¦
āSo your ex-best friend is working to make all of you safe, but also this doesnāt affect any of us in the island if weāre notā¦ your special friends, right?ā This was dumb, but he supposed he had seen weirder things before. āMaybe your friend is trying to make up for what he did that time, so he doesnāt want you to be involved.ā Stupid.
āI probably should get going so you canā¦ do whatever it is you need to do.ā
Aslan shook his head. āIā¦canāt actually do anything,ā he admitted. āI know thisā¦strains belief at best, butā¦thereās magic in this world? But it comes from Elysium. Some people have theirs back, butā¦I donāt. Even though I can see the tree, and even though it affects meā¦thereās nothing I can do about it like this. Just wait and hope everyone who does have some abilityā¦ā He pressed his lips together.
āThe tree is dangerous to us. I donāt know if itās bad for anyone else or not, honestly. The thing about it isā¦that it probably isnāt going to just be the tree? Because the personā¦or peopleā¦who made the tree happenā¦I donāt think they care what happens to anyone. I thinkā¦what they may do nextā¦it might hurt everyone else in Mar Luna, tooā¦ Weāre in this situation where some of us canāt do anything except hope that the ones who can canā¦fix this. So Iām here and not thereā¦wondering if this person who disappeared back then will follow through this time. Because if he doesnātāif the people with him donātā¦ There isnāt anything I can do.ā He looked down. āI came here, because I was trying not to be worried. I guess thereās no getting away from worrying about it, though.ā
Silently, Felipe got up, pushing against the table as he did. āYouāre just making fun of me now, arenāt you?ā He stared at Aslan with a sour expression. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. āI should go,ā he said, but the rain was only growing in strength.
It was annoying because he wanted to comfort Aslan, but he wasnāt about to embarrass himself by taking this conversation seriously.
Still, dealing with the bad weather was better than dealing with this game or whatever thing these guys were doing. āSee you around, I guess.ā So he returned to the entrance to pick up his umbrella.
Aslan actually had thought probably Felipe would leave right away when he started talking about other worlds and magic. He wasnāt surprised when Felipe got up to leave, but he did feel a moment of panicā¦which mean that, as āgracefulā as Aslan wasā¦he stood up so abruptly, he nearly knocked over the table. He definitely knocked his drink overā¦which made him glance back at it, because it was going to need cleaning up, but that seemed less important. He would suffer the glare of the girl at the counter. Instead, he took a few quick steps to try to catch up with Felipe, reaching for his wrist to stop him.
āI know it sounds unbelievable, butā¦I wouldnāt make fun of you. I swear I would notā¦ā
Felipe was annoyed by his shorter legs because he was about to open up his umbrella when Aslan grabbed him. He tilted his head to look at him, glaring for a second before looking down at the floor.
āHow am I supposed to believe any of this when you keep saying thereās no proof? Look, if you regret spending time with me, you just have to say it and not make up all of this.ā Gently, but firmly, Felipe pulled his hand away to open his umbrella. āI donāt want to think youāre that type of person, but put yourself in my shoes.ā
And so, Felipe attempted to leave again.
Aslan glanced back at his messy table. He had enough sense to feel bad about it, but a little mess wasnāt a priority, not comparatively. He thought it was too pushy to grab at Felipe again, but he didnāt want him to just go away, thinking that Aslan was trying to break up with him in some bizarrely roundabout way.
Also, could they break up if they werenāt really togetherā¦?
āThis is a pretty elaborate set up, donāt you think? If I was just doing this to stop talking to you? Do youā¦really think Iām friends with the Bravos or the Arakisā¦?ā he asked, his tone its usual unclear calm, but his face was actually offering some expression. His brows had pinched, and he was frowning even deeper now. āI know we still donāt know each other that well yet, butā¦why would I go out of my way to make a fool out of you, or to arrange some kind of mean prank to hurt you and drive you away?ā He hoovered. Not grabbing again, but standing insistently close.
A part of Felipe wanted Aslan to grab him again, but he locked that part away and tossed it in the trash.
His features conveyed confusion, hope, and also a deep annoyance. Certainly what Aslan said made sense in its own twisted way. If this was to drive him away, why was he hovering so close in his personal space, feeling the lingering warmth of his body and the smell of cocoa?
Felipe looked away again, muttering, āFine.ā It was too elaborate for sureā¦ and Aslan seemed heartfelt when he said those ridiculous things. He looked up again, staring at the taller man in his eyes.
āIāll believe you.ā
Aslan let out a sigh he hadnāt known heād been keeping, his frown lifting. āI hadnāt reallyā¦wanted to tell you, because itās allā¦weird. I guessā¦Iām just realizing that thisā¦ Maybe I was only letting myself think that this was some kind of social club. Like an alumni association or something like that. A bunch of people who had experienced the same thing, just reconnecting. I never really thought it was going to be a big part of my lifeā¦here, now. But weāre here in Taboga Town indefinitely. There are people missingā¦ Andā¦ Maybe we should sit back down?ā he asked, cringing as he looked back to see the staff cleaning up his mess.
He offered a hand.
Felipe could tell Aslan was anguishing over this, and as dumb as the specifics were, He also cringed as he looked over Aslanās shoulder, his cheeks growing warm when he caught the few people in the shop staring at them.
He reached for the hand, then moved it away at the last second, leaving the umbrella behind. āPeople are staring, you know.ā
Aslan looked down at his hand and then at Felipeās hand and then over his shoulder at people giving them funny looks. Because they were bothā¦ Yes. He cleared his throat and drew his hand back. The rules, he realized, were different, and he couldnāt help the momentary sadness that came over him, knowing he shouldnāt just reach for Felipeās hand anytime he felt like it, especially not anywhere he felt like it. But he shook it off, shook his head, and nodded that he understood. It was fine, just being able to be together on a rainy day in a cafe. He smiled a little and nodded back towards the now clean table, which he was embarrassed enough about that he only sort of guiltily looked at the girl putting away the mop and offered an awkward nod of thanks.
āIā¦should have askedā¦if you want a drink, though maybe she thinks Iām a public menace with hot drinks nowā¦?ā He asked, looking towards the counter. āBut I will brave her glare, if you are thirstyā¦ā
āYou are a public menace,ā Felipe replied with a cheeky grin, patting Aslanās arm as they approached the table again. āIāll buy us the drinks, you sit down, okay?ā His skin was cool from the damp clothes that were almost dried now.
Aslan started to protest, but he thought it was maybe okay. It might be weird for Felipe if Aslan was always paying for things. Somehow. Just it might create some kind of weird power imbalance, or maybe it would make Felipe feel like he was incapable, so Aslan thought it was okay this time.
āOkay. I wasā¦drinking hot cocoaā¦but maybe I should just drink tea. Might be saferā¦ā He laughed a little, rubbing the back of his head. āThanks, Felipe.ā He looked around again and then sat down. He was hoping that the attention they had garnered would die down if he sat down. At the very least, he was aware that he was very tall in that moment, and that alone might be catching peopleās gazesā¦ So he sat and rubbed his hands on the top of his legs. In case people were still looking, he did not watch Felipe, but he felt a little annoyed that he couldnāt.
Felipe simply shot a glare at anyone who dared to stare at him, heading for the counter, and reaching in his pocket for his wallet. Thankfully, his wallet was resistant to water so all his bills were safe. He didnāt listen to Aslan and ordered two hot cocoas, making sure to leave a nice tip to placate the staff.
āSo, where did you and your brothers end up staying?ā He almost asked Aslan to stay with him, in his room preferably, but he realized he couldnāt say that in front of his siblings, and also, Aslan would think it was strange. Felipe crossed his legs when he sat down again.
āWeāre staying in that hotel the Bravos provided,ā Aslan admitted. āItās nice, though it isnāt homeā¦ Thank you,ā he said, accepting the cocoa. āItās a little surreal. I mean, how can I even explain to my professors what this emergency is? Hasan also had to take off, though, so saying itās a family emergencyā¦I guess they will believe itā¦ā He shook his head. āAnd umā¦do you rememberā¦the news around Easterā¦? The thing is, I canāt help but wonder if this isnāt some kind of retaliation for thatā¦ā
āThe stolen thingsā¦ that was your friends?ā Felipe asked in a hushed whisper.
Aslan nodded, his expression perhaps surprisingly serious. āI think so, or rather, I guessā¦Iām afraid it probably was them. We used to have little meetings where people filled us in on things, but we havenāt had once since before thatā¦ Maybe because the people behind itā¦didnāt want to draw attention? I donāt know, but things have been quietā¦until now, when there is a giant hungry tree out there. I donāt even really know what the others are doing to try to stop it. Just that they seem to be working on it. Theā¦sad thing isā¦my superpower was supposed to be nature? Soā¦if I had any powers, thenā¦maybe I could be helpful. But my power as Aslan is just knocking coffee cups off tables.ā He chuckled. āMaybe I could spill some hot tea on the tree? But...weāre talking about me a lot. And well, Iām just in a holding pattern. A holding pattern that is conveniently located closer to you than usualā¦ But still. What have you been up to? Besides working too much?ā
Nodding his head, Felipe listened quietly as he blew at his drink to cool it down a little before taking a sip. āSo, does each one of you have different powers? Why donāt you have yours?ā He frowned, looking at the table. āMundane, just helping Luisa with her homework and things like that.ā Wanting to spend more time with you.
āIām hoping to get called in for a nicer job in Mar Luna, but I donāt have high hopes for that.ā
āI donāt know why I donāt have mine,ā Aslan admitted. āThe others got theirs because they were being attacked by something, andā¦a crystal just seemed to appear. But Iāve actually never been in that kind of situation, so maybe thatās why nothing like that happened to me. I thinkā¦I was good at usingā¦ā He tried to think of a good Earth equivalent, so there might be some credence in the thought. āLike maybe alchemy? Or chemistry? I think I was pretty good at patching people up. Probably not as exciting as youād hopedā¦ā He ducked his head, a little embarrassed. āNo swords or anything like that.ā
Felipe shook his head, āI think it fits you.ā He offered a small smile as he took another sip. āYou are going to be an animal doctor which is close enough.ā
Aslan looked up again. āItās so weird, becauseā¦I had thought maybe I was drawn so strongly to you because maybe we had known each other back thenā¦ But I guess thatās not what it is. Thatās not a bad thing. Maybe itās better, honestlyā¦ A feeling that isnāt somehow decided for me byāI donāt knowādestiny? Thatās not a bad thing at all. Though I guess it is still a little surprising for me.ā He lifted his drink to his lips, sipping lightly to avoid being burned.
āWhy donāt you have high hopes for thatā¦?ā Aslan asked. āYouāre the opposite of meāso diligent. Plus, you know so many people. What kind of job is it?ā
DestinyāFelipe wasnāt sure he believed in such a thing, but, āI can tell you Iām not like your friends, at least. Nothing weird has ever happened to me,ā he paused to grin. āOther than you, I mean.ā
He returned the cup to the table. āBecause I never finished college. Itās at the Bank of Mar Lunaānothing exciting, but itās stable and pays well.ā
āWellā¦ā Aslan said, rubbing his chin and glancing out at the rain. āMaybe, if you need a recommendation, my brother might be willing to write one for you. I will ask him. I think he has a little clout, at leastā¦since he works for the university and everythingā¦ā He glanced at Felipe, wondering if he would say more about why he didnāt finish his degree. Financial hard times, maybe? He doubted it was anything disciplinary. Felipe could be sharp, but his bark was worse than his bite. It probably had to do with money, whichā
āEducation should be free,ā he said after a moment, frowning down at the table. āMy brother is paying for mine, so I donāt even have to worry about it, butā¦I also donāt think thatās something he should be paying for either. Itās stupid, capitalizing on things that should just be a basic part of societyā¦ā He lifted his gaze again, glancing at Felipe and smiled a little. āJust thinking out loud. About broken systems. A very old pastime, maybe.ā
āI agree, at least health care exists at all, even if it isnāt the best, butā¦ā Felipe shrugged his shoulders. āStaying at UML is expensive.ā And all of his money went to Luisa, who was far smarter than he was, and she deserved everything.
āI appreciate your offer, but I donāt want to inconvenience your brother.ā He picked up his drink to take a long sip now that it wasnāt steaming. āAlso, Iām glad you donāt have your powers if you need to be in danger to get them.ā
āI donāt think an email would inconvenience him. He is a professor. Writing recommendations is part of the job. But if it makes you feel weird, Iāll drop it,ā Aslan replied, shrugging.
Felipe shook his head. āNoāIā¦ appreciate it. If you think itās okay.ā Trust was a two-way street, and if he wanted Aslan to trust him, Felipe had to trust Aslan.
He smiled at Felipeās sweet sentiment. Aslan didnāt really want to be in any grave danger himself, though he also was finding that sitting around and waiting for someone else to deal with things didnāt suit him as much as heād assumed. He was, truth be told, starting to get antsy despite his hope to keep his life relaxed and unburdened. He looked into the opaque surface of his drink.
āI wish we had some privacy. Iād like to hold your handā¦maybe more,ā he looked up at Felipe, his skin reddening under his beard, and then down again awkwardly. āThatās probably too sudden, isnāt it?ā
The sudden shift in topic caught Felipe off-guard, his expression that of a deer caught under headlights. His cheeks warmed up, taking an unmistakable hint of rosy red. It even crept up to his ears at that maybe more.
āThereās nothing wrong with sudden as long as it feels natural,ā Felipe said after a moment, lightly bumping his foot against Aslanās. āIf you want to brave the rain, maybeā¦ we can go to your hotel?ā He realized immediately that could be misinterpreted. āI-I mean since itās closer than my houseā¦!ā
Aslan was blushing far too much to grow any redder; even so, he thought it would be better to justā¦not talk about it too much, or else steam might erupt from the top of his head. He swallowed and tried to chuckle, though it sounded stiff.
ā...hotel room works,ā he said with calm that was actually surprising to himself. He cleared his throat softly. āIt doesnātā¦feel like bad timing. To me at least,ā he added. Which was true. He had confessed two things to Felipe that he had been a little uneasy to tell him or anyone. The first was specific to Felipe: Elysium and everything that was happening in Mar Luna because of Elysium. The second was more general, but it was a little awkward to admit that he resented the leader of their operation for something that had happened who-even-knew how long ago in a place that even nowā¦was hard for him to really wrap his head around existing. And Felipe had listened generously to both of those things.
Besides, it was raining, and the rain had put a stop to basically any other activity. He had always kind of liked just doingā¦more private things with another person during rainstorms. The rain made him feel like there was somehow an extra layer of privacy. It softened and muffled the world and made time slow. It was, he felt, much better than sexy music, or the urgency of an impromptu, semi-public affair. He scratched his cheek, and then he huffed softly.
āYouāre blushingā¦ā
Hotel room works. Felipe wondered if Aslan realized the implications of what he said, but at least Felipe knew there was no way the taller man meant it that way. Even so, his face, neck, and ears all felt warmāwarmer than before if that was even possible.
His heart was beating too fast, āShut up.ā Felipe groaned, finishing his cup and leaving the empty mug on the table. āIām not,ā he argued, scratching his cheek, looking at Aslan, but then immediately looking away.
To avoid his staring, Felipe stood up and headed for the exit. It definitely wasnāt bad timing.
He was freshly showered, and Aslan wasnāt sure if that was preemptive or not. Hotel lotion could only stretch so far, so maybe Felipe would want a break. They should at least eat, he thought, watching the rain on the balcony doors deepening with dusk colors, and if he could not see the ocean before, he certainly couldnāt now.
In better times, in earlier relationships, he had enjoyed lazy moments like thisāclothes shed, skin damp from the shower, lying on the bed, and doing very little other than listening to the sounds of the world outside the room. Not cars, not people, but the ocean (if he could hear it), rain, birds, the windāthose kinds of sounds that left him feeling both relaxed andā
It was hard to explain. He felt more like Aditi somehow in those moments, which wasnāt a feeling he necessarily enjoyed (in many ways, like every other woman he knew, Aditi felt foreign to him nowāthough he had the insights of being her, he nevertheless found her reactions and feelings mysterious and complex...), while at the same time, he made him feel very anchored and centered. As far as he knew, she had never had a moment like thisā¦ Well, she had been known to skinnydip now and then, when it was among women, and he did recall lying in rich grass, with summer wildflowers soaring up all around his skināer, her skināand smelling the ozone and the fresh green of the world and feeling somehow enriched inside.
He felt that way a little now, though his satisfaction, he suspected, came from a much less pure and wholesome place. Well, that had never mattered so much to him. It hadnāt really mattered to Aditi either. She had not been as prudish as people assumed, though she had been devout enough in her studies of Crystalism. It was only that it was hard to be the Chosen of Nature and see certain things as dirty or untoward. Where she held back, it was more for politics and peace than for her own sense of chastity or goodness. She was dutiful.
He rolled onto his side, finding his phone. He did not sit up as he began looking through his seldom-used restaurant app. But he thought both of them could use food at this point.
āWhat do you like besides pizza?ā he asked, his head hanging off the bed, phone held a little precariously over his face.
Felipe felt a bit more self-conscious than Aslan, and so, as he stepped out of the shower, he commandeered the taller manās shirt, wearing it with only a few buttons, enough to conceal but still leave little to the imagination.
āI like sandwiches, rice in general, and wellāā Theyāhe shouldnāt have anything pungent or spicy right now. āGet me something light, Iāll eat it when Iām hungry,ā He sat down on the bed, crossing his bare legs and looking outside, too. The weather wasnāt letting up, and while he enjoyed it, he wondered if it was going to rain all day long. The last thing they needed were flooded streets or anything like that.
Hoping Aslan was distracted, he glanced over at him, smiling fondly. Perhaps too fondly.
Sandwiches? He crooked an eyebrow, though smiledāa big, very obvious smileāwhen he saw what Felipe was wearing. Was he allowed to ask for a photo? Probably it was a bad idea to have pictures like that on his phone, he thought. For one thing, his brothers all knew his password (it was, of course, the birthday of the family dog). But it seemed like it was a big deal for things like that to leak. He would have to just remember itā¦until next time.
But sandwichesāhe thought they must have worked up a better appetite than that. āOh, there is that fish restaurant,ā he said. āThe one thatās famous? Do they do delivery? We could try that.ā
He looked up to see Felipe grinning at him. āI think your face melted a little,ā he teased.
Felipe immediately looked away, folding his arms over his chest, huffing. āIām just in a good mood for obvious reasons,ā he made a point not to look at the other man because he knew he had to be blushing.
āFonda Delfina? They do, since a few years backāJoaco set that up when he started to work there more intensely. Heās such an overachieverāI even heard some famous people have eaten there over the years, but now people ask for delivery all the way over to Mar Luna sometimes.ā He wondered what he should eat from thereā¦
āI still want something light, but if youāre hungry,ā Felipe glanced over and shrugged. āIāll be fine; Iām used to eating clean most days.ā
āHmmā¦ā Aslan said, in a rare moment of slight emotional intelligenceā¦ āThey might be closed, then.ā He looked up at Felipe. āJoaco has been missing for several days,ā he added in explanation, and Felipe nodded his head. āAlong with his brother. Prince Tiā Um, Alejandro.ā He scrunched his mouth, considering. āMaybe another place would be better,ā he repeated, back to looking at the liste of entries. āWhat is eating cleanā¦?ā he asked, not looking up. āSalads? Iām told youāre supposed to pair protein with exercise, not lettuce.ā He looked up, chuckling.
āYouāre very thin. You really donāt need to worry about something like that. Anyway, thin is only one way of looking nice besides.ā He may have missed a crucial point, but he had not seemed to notice anything of that nature just yet.
What was he supposed to say to the previously straight guy? Felipe considered it for a moment before just lying back down on the mattress. āJust get me something healthy. No spices or red meat for me. Iāll cook something heartier if I feel like it tonight.ā
He agreed with Aslanās point of view, but he chose not to comment on it. āSoā¦ what will you do about the weird stuff you told me about? If you want to talk about it, I mean,ā he rolled onto his side to look at the taller man.
Aslan shrugged, still looking at his phone, but his brow had knit a little. He found a place that seemed sandwich friendly, though maybe too sandwich friendly. There were dozens of choices, and he felt immediately overwhelmed by too many options. He offered the phone to Felipe. āWhy donāt you pick first?ā
But that left him back with the question. He pressed his lips together.
āI should probablyā¦ā Be kinder, at least. But he didnāt know how, knowing how Badr had just abandoned Aditi. He could feel a sigh in his chest and tried to squelch it. āI guess I could always threaten it with my terrible gardening skills?ā
Felipe had fast fingers, so he quickly found one that looked relatively safe to eat. āThereās one called the Turkish in here,ā he snickered, glancing over at Aslan as he added the mostly vegetables sandwich with whole-grain bread to the shopping cart. There was no urge to snoop around, so he held the phone back.
āI believe in you, and I thinkā¦ so should you. From the way you spoke, you care about these people, so donāt regret not doing anything when itās too late.ā That advice applied to life in general, so he figured it would apply now, regardless of the context.
Aslan considered āthe Turkishā for a moment. It sounded pretty good, but he was having a craving for somethingā¦ He scrolled down until he found a picture he liked (a picture that exhibited a good amount of meats and melty cheese) and then he placed the order.
āYou are a health freak,ā he said, looking up. āI guess thatās a good habit.ā He guessed. Though it was a little too Spartan for his tastes. You only lived onceā¦or maybe twice. He put his phone away and moved closer to put an arm around Felipe. In reply, Felipe simply shrugged his shoulders, scooting closer. There was no point in explaining.
āIāmā¦kind of more of a physical person. I donāt really likeā¦complicated emotions, or philosophical matters. I would never want to be, for exampleā¦a brain surgeon or something like that even. Veterinary science has a certain simplicity to it. You know what an animal needs, and maybe sometimes there is detective work, but you basically get straight to itā¦ā Though he had been told he should work on a bedside manner. āRight now, there isnāt anything practical I can do, andā¦so itās hard to do anything. My friends from back thenā¦ā He was quiet for a moment, arranging his thoughts.
āTwo of my friends from back then are out there doing something right now, like I said before. Because for one of themā¦ Itās kind of annoying,ā he said instead. āHalf of the people who remembered they were from Elysiumā¦they just started trying to pick up where they left off. The people they are in relationships with now are the people they were in relationships then, but I donāt get how. I donātā Itās hard for me to relate to Aditi. And the person she wanted to be withā¦isnāt here, nor were they ever able to be together. Everyone else basically did what they wanted, and Aditiā¦did not.ā
Felipe bit his lip, casting his gaze towards the large pane of glass. āIf they were around, you probably would be with them,ā he said, trying and failing to conceal his disappointment. āI guess that makes sense if things ended abruptly or whatever.ā He traced idle patterns on the bedsheets, avoiding Aslanās gaze. āButā¦ even if you were her, people change. Iām not the same guy I was a few years ago, and Iām sure you too.ā
This sounded confusing and frustrating, so he was glad he didnāt have to deal with this mess.
He just wished he could be of more help to Aslan.
āYou think I am a very nice guy,ā Aslan replied, huffing softly. āIām not mean, butā¦I might not be as generous or kind as you are seeming to think. I do think there are timesā¦when the best thing you can do for someone else is just exist beside them, butā¦I donāt think Iām unselfish enough to do that. It probably sounds strange. Most likely these things we experienced happened a long time ago, but the way I remember them, it doesnāt feel that distant, and the way she experienced themā¦ She had a lot of very big emotions for someone so little.ā He paused, glancing at Felipe and smiling a little, āIs that a short person thing?ā
āYou are a nice guy, Aslan. Youāve never met someone who truly isnāt if you think you are not.ā And Felipe had met a fair share of those through the entirety of his relatively short life, and so his voice conveyed that he was not going to have this argument because his mind was set.
Aslan nodded. āI donāt think I haveā¦ā he agreed. There were really only two people who hadnāt done right by him in his eyes, and whether his parents were nice or not niceāthat was harder to define. He wasnāt sure it had much to do with ānice.ā It might have had a little to do with ākind.ā
āMaybe this person was in love with her, too; you donāt strike me as someone whoās the opposite of oblivious.ā
āMaybe, but really, she actually wasnāt oblivious. I can be pretty obliviousā¦or maybeā¦situationally obliviousā¦? But she was always hyper-aware of the people around her. Always trying to please them.ā Aslan frowned. āShe also hated living that way. I donāt know why she did. Just be honest and do what you really wantā¦ā
āYou strike me as severely oblivious,ā Felipe argued petulantly, mostly because he was still upset Aslan hadnāt noticed his crush earlier. āMaybe she thought she had to live that way for the greater good or something, but if your heart is not into itā¦ā After a moment, he folded his arms over his chest, glaring at Aslan when he remembered and noticed the dig at his height, and Aslan tried not to look too amused about it (unfairly, because his face was what it was, he mostly succeeded). āI donāt know, Iām average height,ā he huffed, rolling onto his back to stop looking at the other man. āBesides, Iām not intense at all. Or passionate or anything like that.ā
āReally? You seemed pretty passionateā¦about thirty minutes ago,ā he teased, nudging Felipe with his shoulder. āYou must have never seen your face. It is very intense, just the way it is.ā
It was unfair because Felipeās cheeks turned bright red, and his expression immediately betrayed him. Thankfully he wasnāt looking at Aslan right now. āS-shut it, I donāt know what youāre talking about,ā he defended himself adamantly, tightening his posture and crossed arms. āItās just a normal faceā¦ā
Aslan huffed softly. āItās my favorite face,ā he replied, āFamily aside.ā Though saying it gave him a strange feeling, likeā¦there was someone who should be equal to Felipe in this matter. Except that was her favorite face. Not his. He was decidedly not Aditi. But sometimes, he wondered if in reality, he should have tried to beā¦at least sometimes. Aditi would not let Faihan go out there without even a wordāeven if she was angry about what Badr did. Aditi would have figured out some way to be helpful, if only by offering a word of advice or support.
Felipe felt thoroughly bullied, so bullied he couldnāt do anything but make a weak sound of protest and hope his heart would stop swooning. Did he mean his face like that when theyā¦ or did heā¦ it couldnāt be that, right?
It probably seemed out of nowhere, but his mind had drifted back that way, and so abruptly, he said, āI told you about how my parents just sort ofā¦left us behind. Most of us were around teen-age, but stillā¦kids. The thing is, it really bothers me? It bothers me when people just walk out, like itās such an easy thing to do. Because it happened to her also. Her mom was randomly involved with pirates, and thenā¦next thing she knows, her brother and sister have run off to join them, and sheās this special priestess, this Chosen of Nature, and she canāt just leave, because sheās engaged to this guy who will keep the peace between warring peoples, and because she has thisā¦role to fulfill. They knew she couldnāt follow, but they left anyway. And just like that, Badr also left in the night and didnāt even leave her a note to explain why. She justā¦woke up one day, and the person sheād grown closest toā¦the only person besides Mariaā¦gone.ā
That was something he knew on a personal level, so drawn back from his gay panic, Felipe rolled over to look at Aslan, trying to keep his compassion at bay as he silently listened to him. It still sounded strange, but it was a reality to Aslan and others, so he chose to accept it, too.
Felipe reached over, caressing Aslanās cheek and then running his fingers through his hair in a gentle caress. āIām sorry,ā he spoke softly because there were no right words. Instead, he moved in close to embrace Aslan, tucking his head against his shoulder and playing some more with his hair.
āYou both deservedā¦ deserve much better than the cards life gave you.ā He pressed a gentle kiss to Aslanās shoulder, one of his hands tracing circles on his lower back. āI wonāt leave you without a warning,ā he promised, pressing another kiss. āBut you shouldnāt let the people who walked out of your life like that continue to influence you.ā
āHow do you do that? Not be influenced by the people whoāā He was quiet for a moment, his mouth pulling left as he moved through his thoughts. āI think that I should be angry, that I shouldnāt be forgiving. I think maybe itāsā¦ā The thought felt a little tangled, and he was quiet again as he tried to work through it. āBut I also donātā¦feel good about that. Aditi was strong. She could swallow her pain and move forward and be compassionate, even when it hurt. It made her feel good about herself. She would ratherā¦have that? I guess?
āShe would rather feel good about herself, even if other people might hurt her because of it, andā¦I guess itās about principles, and I donāt want hers to be mine, but I think maybe, if Iām being honest, maybe they are, and maybe thatās why I feel bad about how things stand. Because Iām angry at someone for something they did in a different lifetime, and I want to punish them.
āI want them to be punished until they apologize for it, orā¦I want them to apologize for it without having to be punished first, but because they have not yet, I want them to be punished. I donātā¦think I like that about myself.ā He leaned closer to Felipe. āI thinkā¦thatās what I was trying to explain before, about how I donāt think Iām necessarily as nice as you do.ā
Listening silently, Felipe considered what Aslan said, squeezing him in his arms before loosening his hold. āThen find and hold onto your principles. If you are angry and want justice, seek them out and talk to them. Tell them how you feel, then decide if you wish to forgive them or not.ā It was the only thing that made any sense to him, and even then, he wasnāt sure if the advice worked for such a bizarre and supernatural situation.
āUltimatelyā¦ you are Aslan, do what feels Aslan to you now. Follow your heart and not the damage they caused to her.ā
āI probably shouldā¦yeah,ā Aslan agreed. āI shouldā¦at least say it, before itās too late.ā He wondered if Aditi had ever had a chance to lecture Badr for his thoughtlessness, orā¦just as important (maybe more), if she had ever been able to convey to Maria what she really thought of her. With all of them being here, like this, he had an idea that probably a great many things had wound up unsaid and unknown. It did scare him, the idea that something like that was on the verge of happening again. He nodded quietly, deciding that he should be proactive this onceāto do the thing before it was too late.
That was it; Felipe didnāt want Aslan to regret his choices or lack of action.
āHow did you get so wise?ā he teased, turning to nuzzle his face against Felipeās cheek and neck. āAnd so cute?ā
Because Felipe was, after all, wearing his shirt, and it was too big for him, even if Felipe was āaverage height.ā He felt a little pink trill echoing in his chest.
Aslan was so annoying!
Felipe groaned, narrowing his eyes and glaring at the taller man even if he was being affectionate, which Felipe liked too much. āSh-shut up, donāt call me that word,ā he playfully tapped Aslan on his nose before laughing. āI guess thatās what happens when you have to grow up fast. The wise bit, I mean.ā
It felt somehow presumptive to ask Felipe to explain about all thatā¦at least on the spot. They had slept together, not get married. Still, he wondered what kind of things Felipe had experienced to grow up fast. It probably was a lot worse than what heād experiencedā¦as Aditi and as Aslan. He wondered if it was annoying that he kept bringing these kinds of things up.
āNext time, you tell me about that,ā Aslan said, a bit carefully. āI doā¦want to know more about you, about the things you knowā¦have known.ā He pursed his lips, lifting his head to look Felipe in the eye. āIf you want to. When you do.ā He took a breath, but faltered on saying more. He didnāt need to pad the spaces between words with more words. āMy life has been, despite, you knowā¦pretty simple. My brother ensured it would be. But Aditiās life was kind of exciting. And strange. It was mostly strange, but strange is apparently very exciting.ā If the tree meant anything.
Felipe nodded his head, giving Aslan a soft smile before leaning over to kiss his cheek. āIām sure thatās exactly what he wanted for you, a normal life. That said, you are a very grown man now, so, ā he curled Aslanās hair between his fingers, āIf you want to seek a strange adventure, I think you should. I know youāll be fine in your own uniquely dopey way, andāwell, Iāll be there to listen to you whenāif you want me to.ā
āHmm,ā Aslan said, and because he was not apt to filteringā¦he added, āthough you sound a littleā¦deflect-y?ā He smiled, trying to find Felipeās gaze. āI do mean it, you donāt have to talk about yourself right now if you donāt feel like it, butā¦ I do want to know more about you. I want to know everything.ā