Elias and Peter Ch. 02

I was cleaning out the espresso machine when the bell on the door to the coffee shop rang. We close at 5 and it was 4:57. I called out "We close in 3 minutes, I'm sorry but I can't take your order."

"Not even room for me?" a familiar voice replied. My head snapped up and there he was, in a loose pair of corduroy pants and a brown quilted coat, a deep green scarf snugly sat around his neck.

"Eli" I grinned at him and started to shake a tiny bit nervously. I hoped he wouldn't notice. "I can make time for you any day, what can I do for you, my treat." I shot him a friendly 'bro' smile.

"Nonsense! I'll take... hm. Something sweet, please, make yourself something too" he handed me a ten dollar bill, "my treat."

"Fine, if you insist." I took the money and began making our drinks. I decided on a cinnamon vanilla latte for the both of us. He likes his coffee sweet like I do, I don't know why but that thought brought a small smile to my lips.

"You look cute in your apron." Came his voice. I looked up at him and froze, unsure if I heard him right. A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned against the counter.

"What's that?" I handed him his latte, setting it on the counter in front of him. My insides churned as I waited for his reply, there's no way he just said that.

"I like a man in a uniform." A stupid joke, but a detrimental one for me all the same. I nervously fiddled with my apron and brushed it off shakily. I felt like I could throw up as nerves coursed through me, my whole body went cold. When I didn't reply, Eli's eyes darkened a little bit but he gave me a forced smile. "So you wanna get out of here or what?" his eyes brightening again, shaking me out of my trance.

"Oh, yeah, right." I tore off my apron and grabbed my coat and bag. I could practically feel the weight of his eyes on me as he watched my every move. He looked lost in thought, a small smile playing on his lips. "What are you smiling about?" I teased, nudging his side with my elbow, attempting a playful demeanor but I knew I was flailing internally. He laughed out loud and threw his arm around me, pressing me to his side as we walked out the door.

"I'm such a nerd, I'm so excited to show you my collections, but also, you're gonna have to ride on my bicycle with me because I haven't got a car yet." he pointed towards the vintage-style brown bicycle chained to the bike stand outside the cafe. It had one of those banana seats so I knew we could both fit, but that meant.. Oh god I was going to have to hold on to him.

"Believe me, you being a nerd is the least of my worries." I climbed on the bike behind him tentatively, and carefully wrapped my arms around his waist. "Is this thing safe-" I started to say but gripped him tighter as he began speeding down the road. The wind tousled my hair and bit my nose, being probably 35 degrees outside, but I'd worn gloves again today, thankfully.

"See, this isn't so bad!" Eli called back to me, laughing wildly. I laughed with him, it was fun. I wondered if he could feel my heart racing through the layers of our coats, being pressed so closely to him. I gripped him harder and nervously rested my head against his back as he peddled. We reached his house in about 15 minutes after we left the cafe. Eli dragged the bike up the porch stairs and leaned it up against the house. "Come on, it'll be a lot warmer inside." he fumbled with his keys and unlocked the door, holding it open for me to walk in first.

He took off his shoes and stripped down to a black tee and pants as soon as we entered his room and the door was shut behind us. So, I followed suit and took off my old boots and coat, but left my sweater on since I wasn't wearing anything underneath. I looked back up at Eli and my breath hitched; his body was beautiful, I had to physically hold myself from staring at his olive skin and gentle, lean form. He was like a sculpture, all of him looked so perfect yet so... wonderfully human.

"Here, I want to show you my specimens." He smiled excitedly but he paused for a minute to stare at my own body, heat rising to his cheeks. I'm sure he thought I didn't notice, but I did. I felt butterflies begin to assault my stomach, horribly fluttering around. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to his bookshelf where he had far too many jars of preserved bugs and small animals, as well as bones and one he claimed was a dinosaur bone.

"This is all so fucking cool." I said, marveling at his collection. I turned to him and was surprised to see his eyes already locked on me.

Eli's room felt like a sanctuary, if i'm honest. The dim light from a small desk lamp cast a soft, warm glow, and a faint fragrance of incense filled the room. We sat side by side on his bed, shoulders brushing, an almost palpable tension lingering between us. I could feel my dick continue to stir, against my will. I did not want to be sitting here with an extremely uncomfortable bulge straining against my pants. It didn't help that he kept brushing against my thigh and hand, it seemed almost purposeful. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Eli had been eager to show me his collection of curiosities, an assortment of trinkets, and keepsakes that adorned his shelves. As he reached for a weathered wooden box, I couldn't help but watch his every move, my heart fluttering a tad looking at the veins in his fingers and wrist.

He opened the box carefully, revealing a collection of colorful stones and crystals. Each one had a story, and he told me about their origins, his eyes alight with passion. I listened, hanging on to his every word, my fingers brushing the smooth surfaces of the stones.

He looked at me with a shy smile, his gaze meeting mine. He cleared his throat and continued to show me his treasures, our fingers brushed again, sending unwanted sparks through me.

Eli's voice was soft and hesitant as he explained the significance of a small, intricately carved pendant. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, and I admired it with genuine fascination. But what held my attention most was the way he nervously played with the hem of his shirt. What is he feeling right now? Was he nervous?

A heavy silence fell over the room. Our eyes met and, for a fleeting moment, time stood still. Eli finally spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks for listening, Peter."

I nodded, unable to trust my voice, and managed a small smile. "Anytime, Elias- I mean, Eli," I paused, my breath hitching anxiously, "I did love listening to you."

"You did?" He questioned, his dark eyes seemed to swirl in the dim light.

"Yeah, I did. You're very passionate. " My breath shallow. He turned gently towards me, both of us breathing heavily. He leaned down gently but stopped, uncertainty flashing over his face for a moment.

"Peter.." he whispered. He reached forward and tucked a curl behind my ear, I froze. "You're so beautiful." He was gazing at me so intently that I thought I would burst into flames, my heart threatened to pound out of my chest. And then his lips were on mine. Warm. Wet. Soft, the softest thing I've ever felt. His hands cradled my face deepend the kiss, and I kissed him back. I want this, he's so-

Wait.

Realization crashed over me. This isn't right. I can't do this. Panic.

I pulled away abruptly and stood up, tears threatening to fall from my eyes "Eli- I- We can't- This isn't-right." I stammered, "I shouldn't be here."

Eli stared at me, his expression cold and confused, his eyes searching mine for an explanation. "I- I thought you were, I mean.." his voice trailed off and he looked down at the floor, biting his lip.

"I'm not, I'm sorry." I grabbed my coat and began slipping my boots on, trying to get out the door as quickly as I could, my body was on fire, my mind was on fire. I looked up at Eli who hadn't moved an inch. "Eli I-"

"Peter, just go." Came Eli's voice, "Please. I'm sorry I kissed you, it was my mistake. You just looked at me so...nevermind, I-" his voice cracked as his eyes slammed shut. My own tears threatened to fall, I felt so guilty. "Just go."

And I did, I grabbed my bag, but he startled me when he stood suddenly and began trudging out the door to the living room where he held the front door open for me. "Bye." I croaked. He didn't answer, but he gave me one last broken look before shutting the door behind me.

The walk home was almost worse than the whole encounter, and my tears seemed to freeze on my face as they fell. Why was this so confusing? Why do I feel like this for him?

I trembled as I opened the door to my aunt's house, about 45 minutes later, suddenly feeling like a stranger in my body, suddenly very aware of my surroundings. My aunt's religious icons hung on the wall, crosses and sacred hearts and the like. She had been a devout catholic and served as a nun for a number of years before converting to christianity. Although she was much less serious about her faith these days, she still attended church every Sunday and was involved in a few outreach programs. I loved my aunt dearly, but the thought of looking her in the eyes made me want to puke. I raced up to my room and locked the door, very ashamed of myself.

"You didn't do anything wrong." I whispered, assuring myself, slipping into a clean sweater and sweatpants, "He kissed you, you didn't kiss him."

You kissed him back.

"I was caught off guard, it meant nothing"

You fucking enjoyed it, more than any other kiss you've ever had.

"I didn't"

You did.

I began to sob into my pillow, exhausted from fighting my internal monologue. Why was I unraveling like this? Everything I'd been taught growing up was clashing so painfully with my emotions, that's why.

"God please make this stop." I prayed into the dark, "This is too painful."