Pushover | Aether x Reader

It all started with having breakfast together.

It was a mere coincidence that (Y/n)’s daily coffee brewing and Aether’s bento box making time had aligned one Monday morning. Both had been avoiding each other for weeks, unsure of how to approach the tension between them. But on that morning, something shifted in the air between them. It was as if they realized in that quiet kitchen that avoiding each other was only complicating things further.

As they turned their backs on each other, dutifully fulfilling their tasks on different countertops, the kitchen filled with the rhythmic sound of Aether's crisp chopping and the steady pouring of (Y/n)'s coffee. The silence between them was thick, both of them completely aware of the other’s presence, though neither dared to speak first.

(Y/n) gazed into her steaming cup, trying to shake off the frustration that had been mounting over the past few weeks. Even though she had recently begun to open up to the blond boy, she couldn’t ignore the fact that she had treated him poorly during that time. What gave her the right to suddenly change her attitude?

Aether tried to focus on preparing his bento, but the silence between him and (Y/n) made his heart race with nervous excitement.

Was she looking at him? She was, wasn't she? Should he initiate conversation? Would she even respond? But alas, not a word slipped from the boy's lips as he agonized over all the but's and maybe's.

Fortunately, (Y/n) eventually broke the silence, her voice hesitant but firm.

“Aether,” she said, her fingers gripping the edge of her mug. “Do you... always make bento this early?”

Aether glanced over his shoulder, an uncontrollable smile making its way onto his lips.

“Yeah, I like to get a head start on the day,” he said, his voice as bright as the morning sun. “Plus, it helps clear my mind, you know?”

"I see..." (Y/n) nodded, albeit awkwardly. She had finished making her coffee, there was no longer any reason for her to stay. "... I'll take my leave then. See you at school?"

Aether bit his lip, unsure of what he was about to do. It was a leap of faith, but he had confidence that it would turn out well.

"... Wait." Aether placed his knife down, golden eyes meeting hers. "... May I make you a bento box as well?"

"... Huh?"

"I-I mean! It's just—I notice you haven't been eating lunch at school..." Aether directed his gaze to the ground as he slipped into yet another uncontrollable ramble. "... And you don't eat breakfast... I was concerned so—"

(Y/n) placed a hand on his shoulder, interrupting him mid sentence. "Yes, Aether. I'd appreciate it," she said with a smile.

"... Really?"

"Yes," (Y/n) replied, her smile softening. "Thank you for looking out for me."

Aether's heart raced, pounding so fast he thought it might leap out of his chest. Swallowing his nerves, he declared with a sudden burst of confidence, "I’ll make you the best bento ever!"

For the first time in weeks, Aether felt like it was all finally falling into place.

----------------

"What's with them? Why did they make up so suddenly?" Hu pointed out as she sat next to Albedo at the corner of the cafeteria, sipping her nearly-gone milkshake made of 90% ice.

"... Them?" Albedo hummed, eyes fixed on the sketchbook he was working on. "(L/n) and Zeus?"

"Yeah!"