- finally us || xiao x aether

[ aether ]

i enter our school's rooftop and phew! the warm air feels nice today. i received a text from lumine during classes about this blind date i'm doing. which is surprising because it was only yesterday when i agreed to it.

i spot lumine sitting on one of the benches and i join her. "why do we have to discuss this alone? hutao and xiao wouldn't mind." that's a lie, thank gawd we're alone.

"ehhh... are you really giving up on xiao already? hutao said he likes cute girls..but she didn't look sure. you're cute tho so that's a check." she hands me a lunch box that our dad prepared.

"damn... it's clearly one-sided so it's best to move on"

"you didn't even give him a chance, brother."

"you're right but i'm scared so can i just get an update about my date?"

"right.. i was able to find one fast because he straight up walked to me and asked me to give this to you." a chocolate bar.

"what the hell? it's not even valentine's day yet. does this count if we ever do the challenge for most chocolate's on valentine's? heheh"

"hell no. anyways, he told me after that you were handsome and would like me to introduce you to him."

"wow. he didn't even try to hide it?"

"well, he tried his best not to look flustered but somehow i can see a tail wagging."

"oh?  that's cute and all.. but what's the difference, he's a guy... fuck, i sound so stupid rn."

"yeah, at least you're aware. why are you crawling back to the closet like a baby? what happened to that kid who was proud to kiss all the different kinds of fishes in the sea."

"what are you saying..? agh, i know you're right."

"so, what's your choice? i can just say you're busy if you don't want to."

"i'm sorry, sis. i'm not sure."

"i guess having a blind date is too early. oh! what if.. i'll let him have lunch with us tomorrow?"

"together? with xiao and hutao?"

"yeah! he did ask for an introduction, so he definitely wouldn't mind."

"...okay. i'll inform xiao about it later. i don't think he'll mind."

"great! same with hutao. i should tell him before classes start just in case i forgot."

"what's his name by the way?"

"oh right. gorou!"

...

gorou? never heard of him. he must be one of the new students for this school year. so... crush at first sight? i can't really say love since that's such a strong word. hopefully he's sweet and not weird...

we arrived at lumine's classroom and i watched her go in. i scanned her classroom real quick just to see if i could find out who the guy was. i locked eyes with someone, a guy. is it him? brown hair with white streak bangs..

"he's cut-"

"aether?" 

i quickly turned around to see xiao on my right. this is embarrassing, i almost spat my thoughts out loud. i would die if xiao heard it. hopefully not?

"xiao! did you hear anything?"

"what?"

"did you hear what i was about to say earlier...?" yikes, this mostly would make people more curious.

"...not really."

i sighed. "good. let's go back class, it's about to start soon."

"sure.." xiao let it slide please.

...

i can't concentrate!

xiao! he keeps staring. it feels like his stare is burning my face right now. why?? maybe he did hear it!? is he curious? or mad that i'm keeping a secret? well.. friends don't really tell each other everything.

he might actually ask about it after class. should i run for it..again? ack.. i already did that yesterday-

wait... why am i hiding it? he's just a curious friend of mine. plus, they're going to meet tomorrow.

i should start thinking before acting.

i placed my book standing and lowered my head a bit to hide from the teacher.

"why are staring so hard?" i whispered.

xiao followed what i did. "nothing..?"

"liar. anyway, i have something to tell you later, remind me okay?" i might forget..

"alright. i have something to ask too."

before i could reply, he sat back up and started taking notes so suddenly. i know he's smart but damn, he was just staring at me a while back.

i wonder what he'll ask about? he kinda sounded serious.. he's not mad, is he?

...

ring ring ring, the bell. class. finally. done.

that felt wayyy longer than normal. is it because of xiao's statement? damn it, i'm tired.

"aether. what did you want to say to me?"

"right.. uhmm, someone's joining us for lunch tomorrow, you're okay with it, right?"

a pause. "yeah.. but who is it?"

"oh, it's lumine's classmate. he said he wanted to meet me so we decided to invite him to lunch tomorrow." he was suppose to be my blind date.. but xiao doesn't need to know that.

"i see. why though?" damn. i thought he'll just agree and end of the the conversation.

"that... who knows! hahahah! maybe i'm just so popular! i mean, look at me." i'm not completely lying-

xiao chuckled. hah.

"understandable. let's go meet lumine and hutao."

"wait! you said you were going to ask me something?" agh, shoot it, i'm ready.

"oh... uhmm.. well, i heard from hutao that lumine mentioned you have a crush so i got hahah... curious?"

of course he got curious. i would be the same too if xiao had a crush but fuck, this is killing me.

"ahhhhhhh"

"so you do have one? that means.. is it the guy you guys invited?"

this guy connecting shit like puzzles- this is fine! i can't back out now, this is... one-sided!!

"...maybe?" I can't look at him! hm.. maybe.. just maybe.. if i look-

"i see. i won't tell anyone." disappointment. but i'm more disappointed at myself! i can't believe i wanted him to look a bit jealous, stupid aether!

i can't take this anymore, i want to go home!

fuck, i feel like its all about me today. what if i turn the tables?

"hey, what about you? is there someone who makes xiao's heart flutter?"

"..."