Norton x Aesop

High School AU

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Black hair, eyes of the same color, a mysterious scar whose origin is unknown and an impressive figure. Norton Campbell was a very unusual high school student, yet most girls admired him and dreamed of being hugged by those two muscular arms. After all, who wouldn't ?

His charm was striking wherever he went and he turned many eyes when he walked the streets. Women want his heart and men want the same body. It didn't matter what gender, everyone was looking for his attention. It was probably because of this that he had few friends and remained alone on his own.

The only people he let hang out with him were Eli Clark and Helena Adams. Eli was a lively young man who brought a smile to everyone's face, and Helena always knew what to say to ease the mood. The trio often spent time on a bench in the courtyard or at Eli's house after school.

Only this time, they felt like getting a change of scenery since the weather was nice and went to the roof.

"The breeze is nice." marked the girl with glasses.

"Perfect for lunch !" exclaimed Eli.

Norton just nodded and followed his two friends to a corner where the two were already setting up and taking out their lunch. The young man did the same but a detail drew his attention. Not far from them was another person sitting on a bench.

He had silky silver hair tied back in a loose ponytail and his eyes stared blankly into space as he chewed his sandwich in an almost mechanical motion. The aura around him seemed calm and relaxing. Campbell was captivated by the boy's elegance. 

"Is someone interested in Carl from what I can see?"

Norton turned to Eli who had just spoken to him, the male was smirking evilly that one would almost want to punch at the moment. However, he wasn't a brute and sighed before taking a bite out of his sandwich. He looked up at his friend as if to signal him to tell him more.

"Aesop Carl, the same age as us, quiet and lonely... Oh, and single !" said Eli.

"I see..."

He wasn't really sure that last part was necessary, but it was always good to know. Aesop Carl... He must have really been the self-effacing type for Norton to discover him for the first time when half the year had already passed.

"Why don't you invite him to join us ?" added Helena.

"Huh ?"

"Leave it to me !"

"Wait what-"

Norton barely had the time to react when the brunette had already risen to rush towards Aesop and start a conversation with him. He looked at them from afar with an annoyed look, he couldn't hear what they were saying because he was too far away but it was obvious that the other boy looked uncomfortable in front of Eli's enthusiasm.

The latter pointed a finger at Helena and him, which made him meet Aesop's gaze as he followed the direction pointed. Instinctively, Norton looked away. Why did he look away ? He had no idea. It's not like he had anything to be ashamed of. I mean, how much longer were they going to talk-

"Um... Hello ?"

He turned his head quickly to see that Eli had returned and this time in the company of the ashen-haired boy. Unbelievable. And he thought his friend was just going to scare him away. But now was not the time to be shocked by Eli's prowess at always making new friends, Carl had only just greeted him so he had to say something back.

"Yo."

Seriously ? Was that all he could think of to say ? Eli who was standing behind Aesop felt the same way and covered his face with his hand with an exasperated look.

"Yes... So as I was telling you earlier... These are my two friends Helena and Norton !"

"Nice to meet you, Aesop is it ?"

"Mhm. I believe we're in the same music club right ?"

"Indeed, I'm glad you remembered !"

"It's nothing..."

The boy's cheeks turned a soft red at her answer. What the- That was adorable.

"Don't you have anything to say other than 'Yo' Norton ?" the brunette asked with a smile.

Damn Eli. He couldn't give him a second's peace. What did he want him to say to him ? 'Oh, hey, are you stuck with us because of my friend here who thinks I'm attracted to you just because I looked at you for two seconds ?' No, definitely not.

"Uh... How's it going ?"

Someone get him out of there. Every sentence that came out of his mouth sounded completely ridiculous and he could see Eli holding back a laugh as he looked away. He even heard a slight chuckle from Helena's side. What had he done in his previous life to deserve this ?

"I'm fine." he replied coldly.

"Cool."

Argh, and the icy tone in Aesop's voice wasn't the most comforting either. Maybe he'd better shut up and let Eli do the talking for him. Norton decided to drink his brick of juice in order to prevent himself from making a bigger fool of himself. The brunet had probably noticed because he invited their new companion to sit with them.

The rest of the meal passed in a quiet atmosphere with Eli talking the most and sometimes Helena. Aesop simply nodded and Norton said nothing, stealing a few glances at the young man's figure from time to time.  

Two months have passed since they met. Aesop had opened up to the trio a bit more and was even coming with them to Eli's house to have fun. Norton noticed that his two friends had become quite close to each other. Has Eli fallen under Aesop's spell ? It was understandable, he was attentive to his surroundings and always willingly lent his notes with extra remarks to make it easier to understand.

It also happened once that he passed the music room and heard him playing the piano. It was a sweet melody and he had not made a single mistake during the whole piece. If the opportunity ever presented itself again, he would love to listen to it again. But... despite all the changes, Norton had the impression that the younger man was still keeping his distance from him.

First, he was the only one he called by his last name, Campbell, when he was using Helena and Eli's first name. Then he always seemed stressed or uncomfortable when the two of them were alone. Why such a difference in treatment, he wondered.

Was it that he had such a bad impression that the latter hated him ? He hoped that wasn't the case.

"A hassle Nort ?"

Eli was sitting cross-legged in his chair tapping on his phone while Norton had his arms crossed leaning on the windowsill next to the brunette's table. Helena had a medical appointment for her glasses and Aesop was in another class so it was just the two of them for today. 

"You're close to Aesop right ?"

"Hm, I guess he's a good friend now ! He's cute."

"Huh ?"

Eli let out a laugh before turning off his phone and setting it on his table and then turning to Norton with a smile.

"Don't tell me you're jealous ?"

Jealous ? Him ? Was he ? That would explain why he was upset that Aesop was only distant with him. But... really ? He widened his eyes at the brunette's question. Why would he feel hurt by such a thing ? It wasn't like he was the type to seek out the company of others.

"No way, you didn't even realize that you had completely fallen for him ?"

"What ?"

He had what ? Right now, Norton was having trouble following Eli's words.

"You really are a hopeless mess ! Why don't you go talk to him ?"

"I'm not sure. He doesn't seem to like my presence, he's always on edge around me."

"Hmm... That's not my opinion !"

"What do you mean ?"

"I think you should have a long talk with him, trust me you won't regret it !"

Eli got up from his seat and patted Norton on the shoulder before leaving the classroom, saying he was going to get something from the vending machine. Leaving behind a confused Norton who was lost in thought.

After what Eli had told him, he kept asking himself how he felt about Aesop all week. Did he love him ? More than a friend ? It was unlikely... maybe... or not...

"Argh !"

Norton rubbed the back of his head as he walked up the stairwell. This whole thing was driving him crazy and how had Eli managed to forget his bag on the roof ? And why was he the one who had to go get it on top of that ? He was old enough to go and get his things by himself ! But no, sir gave him the excuse that he had to go to the teachers' room for something.

"He'll owe me..."

Finally, he arrived at the door leading to the roof. He turned the handle to open it and was then surprised to see that someone was there. Classes were already over for the day, which was all the more reason to annoy him for having to look for Eli's bag when he could already be home. Only, there was a familiar figure standing in front of him...

"Aesop ?"

"Oh, Norton. It's you."

Norton ? Had he fallen down the stairs on the way here and this was all a dream and he was in some kind of coma ?

"What are you doing here ?" asked Norton.

Aesop tucked one of his strands of hair back behind his ear before turning to face the rooftop railing, watching the city. The sunset reflected a warm orange hue on the boy's pale skin.

"The view is beautiful from here." he replied.

Norton approached him and stood next to him, looking in the same direction, though his eyes flickered slightly to his left, where Aesop was. It wasn't so bad indeed.

"Do you come here often ?"

"Sometimes. It helps me relax when I have a lot on my mind. Do you ?"

"Not really."

"Why are you here then ?"

"Eli asked me to pick up his school bag."

"Hm ? I've been here for a while and there's nothing here..."

"Huh ?"

Slowly, Norton realized that Eli had probably never forgotten his bag and that wherever he might be right now, he was probably proud of his move. Aesop laughed softly as he realized the situation, although he didn't know the reason behind the whole scene. It was the first time Norton had heard him laugh. It was also the first time they had both talked so much. Maybe falling for the brunette's trick wasn't such a bad call after all.

"You get along with Eli don't you ?"

Ahh ! Why did he have to bring that up when everything seemed to be going well for once ? Even Aesop was looking at him with confusion on his face ! The gray-haired boy raised an eyebrow before turning to face in front of him again. Fortunately for Norton who was far too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

"I guess. He's easy to talk to."

"Do you..."

"Do I love him ? As a friend, yes. More than that, no."

Norton was surprised. How did he know what he was going to say ? The atmosphere had suddenly become a little strange now and he wasn't sure how to respond.

"Do you like anyone ?"

"I... I'm not sure..."

"I see."

Why was he asking him such a question ? What was the younger man's purpose in all this ? If his goal was to confuse him, then it was successful.

"How come you never call me by my first name ?" asked Norton.

"I didn't think you would ask about that."

"Huh ?"

"Eli was right, you are pretty slow on the uptake."

Now what ? He was being tricked into going to the roof, Aesop was just saying weird things and now he was insulting him ? Or at least that's what it looked like. Maybe the two of them had gotten together to mess with him. Suddenly, he was shocked when he felt a cold hand grab his. He looked to the side to see that Aesop was holding his hand while still looking ahead.

"I guess I'm just embarrassed to call you by your first name in front of everyone."

"Why ?"

There was a moment of silence before the young man began to speak.

"Hey, do you like me ?" whispered Aesop

"W-what ?"

"Does that mean yes ?"

Aesop turned this time to look Norton straight in the eyes, the male's face suddenly turning red. Did Eli turn him in ? Hell, what should he do now ? He was pretty sure his feelings were not reciprocated given the latter's behavior but... deep down, he still held a shred of hope.

"Me too."

"W-Wait a second..."

"You don't want to go out with me ?"

"No ! I mean, yes ! Argh... I don't know anymore... It's all going too fast for my brain..."

Aesop laughed softly as he saw Norton trying to hide his frustration with his free hand.

"I love you." he whispered.

"Hm ? I didn't hear you right I think." the young man replied with a smile.

"Gosh..."

All Aesop could see were a few twirling black strands before he felt a soft sensation settle on his lips and the grip on his hand strengthen slightly. Moments later, their lips parted but their faces were still close together, their foreheads pressed together and their hands still intertwined.

"I think you spend too much time with Eli..."

"Really ? What should I do to forgive myself in this case ?"

"Call me by my first name."

"Is that all ?"

"And let me do this..."

He let go of his hand to put his arm around his waist and then put his other hand under his chin to bring his face closer to his. Coming thus to seal another kiss on his soft pink lips. A kiss this time longer, more languorous and passionate with only spectator, the sunset.

"I love you, Norton."

"Me too..."

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I think you can see in this that Elisop is my otp lmao