bsumone | ❝ You fairies love where love is wise and just ❞

He listened to the way James spoke the words, his tone so soft and soothing. It was like a spell had fallen over the room and he almost forgot to breathe. But the smile never left Eli's lips as he let himself cling to ever single word. A love poem. It was so sweet and so...perfect.

"I thought that one might end up sad but it really isn't. The end switches it up to something so beautifully uplifting."

Warmth spread over his features at Eli’s reception. His smile was soft and almost relieved that Eli enjoyed his selection. There weren’t a lot of people his age who genuinely enjoyed poetry and more of the older works that James built his academic life around.

“She’s a bit past the period I studied most, but I am deeply fond of her works. A highly underrated poet.”

He glances toward the books again, then back to Eli. “What else have you chosen for us?”

"I kind of grabbed everything that was poetry on the way in so I don't even know what all I grabbed," he confessed as he spread out the various books so that way they could look at them more easily. It was quite a nice selection now that he was looking at it. A variety of poets and genres.

"Poems make me think of you so I wanted to read poems with you," Eli admitted as he grabbed one to start flipping through it. "What eras did you really study?"

Because he really wanted to start go get to know him better.

“My specialty is in the Metaphysical poets. Seventeenth century. John Donne, specifically.” It might be a little high brow for high school, but Eli might at least have heard of Donne.

"Wow. The clergyman. I saw you reading something of his once so I looked him up to read things too." He paused then and made a small show of looking bashful as he looked over at James.

"I might have watched you a bit to read everything you were reading since sophomore year."

A brow lofted but then returned to its usual place. That was sweet and more than a little flattering. This boy’s been keeping up on his interests. So he’s probably read Crowley, Cleveland, and Marvell, as well. At least from that period.

It suddenly made him feel like he was trailing behind. Eli spent the last two years exploring James’ interests. And he doesn’t even know what sort of dance Eli studied.

“I know so little about your interests, outside dance. In the vague sense. I’m not even sure what sort of dance you do.” Well, outside of the erotic.

"I've studied a little bit of everything. My favorites are contemporary and ballet though. With some hip-hop in there when I just want to do something freer."

Eli paused in his flipping to realize that James was honestly right though. He'd spend almost two and a half years stalking this man to learn everything about him. Because how else would you describe what he'd been doing even if he hadn't gone as far as figuring out where he lived and all that.

"I guess you really don't know a lot about me. Okay, what do you want to know?"

Everything.

“Well, what are your other interests and hobbies? What are your dreams for the future? What kinda if music do you like?” Those seemed like a good start.

Setting the book down, he looked up at the ceiling while he pondered his starting point. He didn't have to answer that in order, after all. So, hmmmmm...

"Music depends on what I'm doing. If it's to study to then it's got to be instrumental and with a classical feel to it. But if it's just to listen to then anything that I can dance to. Because what I want to do is join a dance company after I graduate. My big dream is to be one of their headline performers."

Eli lifted his hands and moved them as if he was showing his name in lights on a sign in front of him. "I don't really have time for anything like interests and hobbies because if I'm not dancing then I'm sleeping or I'm at school. But I guess reading. I've always really loved to read."

His hands fell into his lap. "My parents always hated me dancing because it was so expensive. Books were a great way for me to escape when they wouldn't come to my competitions or wouldn't pay for lessons or shoes or outfits."

A sigh left him. "I've paid for most of my dance career so far. But it's been worth it because I feel so free when I'm dancing."

That made sense. Most people who were dedicated to their art were dedicated to their art. They didn't often have time or energy for outside hobbies and interests. James could understand that on an academic level. He'd really never been that passionate about anything. Studying and writing poetry wasn't an intensive endeavor, not like music or dance or theatre. It didn't require both physical and mental acumen like those arts did.

"Are you planning to go to college?"

Edited 2023-01-24 06:44 (UTC)

"If I can afford it I might. Right now I'm in a tiny studio apartment taking the bus everywhere I go. And I'm eating like broke college student already."

Eli shrugged through because he wasn't upset about his life. Far from it. Sure it was rough but it was free from those who couldn't support his dreams. Smiling, he leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands.

"I get to dance and now I get to date the man of my dreams. So honestly I'm living the dream."

He honestly didn't know how much a degree might help in Eli's chosen field. It's not like academia, where James had to have at least a master's and a certain number of published works before he could even consider getting a tenured position. Even at the university, he had to teach, write, and continue to do research in his field to maintain that tenure. That was a big part of the reason he started teaching high school instead. There was no pressure for him to keep adding to the body of research, no pressure for continued publications.

It seemed to him that for someone in the arts, it's practical experience that matters more than a degree.

But he couldn't help smirking at that last thing. "The man of your dreams? Really?"

"Yep. I've been dreaming about you this whole time."

Eli grinned and then scooted his chair closer than it already was so he'd be able to easily lean over and kiss his cheek. Books? Snacks? Forgotten in favor of this man here. Who he could touch and kiss and talk to freely. Who was getting to know him as much as he was getting to know James.

"I figured you'd only ever be a dream. This is really special for me."

He hesitated a second before reaching over to take Eli's hands in both of his. "You must understand how flattering that is to hear from someone." It's sweet and romantic and just... absolutely flattering to someone of his age. He felt like he's at that age where people don't look at him in that sort of way anymore.

And then there's Eli. A handsome young man who could easily take his pick of partners. And he chose James.

"I haven't really been involved with anyone in a while, so I hope you can bear with me while I try to navigate some of this."

"You're already being really patient with someone who really doesn't have much experience at all. It's only fair I be patient with you too."

As long as he knew he could date him he was honestly so happy. They would have to find ways to be sneaky for awhile but that didn't bother him. He'd gladly do that if it meant that he got to have these moments with James. The man was handsome, experienced, and so very kind. How he got so lucky that he hadn't been snatched up was beyond him.

"I'm going to make sure you get tickets to all my stuff from now on, okay? You just make whatever you can."

"I would love to see you dance." A beat, then, "Really dance." Not the sexy stuff he'd already seen. not that he'd mind terribly seeing more of that in a more private setting...

Focus, focus.

"I'll try to come to them all. I might have to skip something if it's my time with Malory." He couldn't exactly bring her along. Then he'd have to explain something... That would be awkward and possibly put them at risk of discovery.

"I understand."

He bit his lip then and then gave one of the hands holing his own a squeeze. A playful smile came to his lips as he leaned in a little closer.

"I can show you more of the exotic stuff sometime too. Only you're allowed to touch and I'll take everything off..."

He's sure his face went red given how hot it suddenly felt.

"Please don't tease like that..."

"I'm not! I'll really do that for you sometime!"

Eli paused a second to consider and then laughed as he realized something. "Oh I guess it is a bit of a tease right now since this isn't a good place for that. Sorry!"

He quickly gave him a kiss to apologize.

It's kind of pathetic that the boy saying something like that sends his blood rushing to awkward places. But truly, it's been years since anyone's flirted with him like this so, maybe that's to be expected.

"You're very good-looking, Eli," he began. "It's somewhat difficult not to paint a very graphic mental picture since I've seen you at your job."

"Twice."

Not even just once. He'd seen him at his job twice now. But, he had to admit that it was nice to know that James really did have an imagination to picture him like that after only a suggestion.

"You said before you couldn't get me off your mind. Is that what you were picturing? That kind of stuff?"

Oh, God, he's embarrassed to admit it, but he also doesn't want to lie. That's no way to begin a relationship. Eli may be young, but James respects him too much to try to misrepresent himself to the young man.

His throat felt a little tight and he didn't trust his voice, so he simply nodded.

James could go from sexy handsome to adorable handsome just by getting flustered like this. Eli broke into a huge smile as he squeezed his hand again then leaned in to press a lingering kiss to those lovely lips.

"I would picture you all the time too. Usually at school since that's where I knew you from, obviously."

Too bad they'd probably never really get to try the classroom because it would be so sexy.

The most taboo thing that could possibly be imagined between a teacher and student and Eli just admitted to thinking about. He couldn't stop the words before they tumbled out.

"Tell me about them."

Okay now his cheeks actually colored a little. But they were in a safe spot here. So he smiled a bit as he glanced at the table and traced little nonsense designs on the table with his fingertips.

"You'd have me stay after to discuss a paper. Then you'd lock the door and start telling me how impressed you were and how extra credit wouldn't be enough of a reward. But you had a better idea. And you'd undress me and bend me over your desk and have your way with me."

He bit his lip and glanced at his boyfriend. "I know. It's cheesy. But it's really sexy in my head."

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