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There's this guy who caught Aether's attention.
Not romantic in any sense, no. It's purely curiosity. This guy doesn't talk too much— quiet — and from what he observed, he's a bit grumpy. He's popular among the girls, and gays, too. And that's where Aether's attention is piqued.
Like, how come he's so popular when he's so grumpy and quiet? Aether didn't understand, even a little bit. He would watch him from afar, and he'll always wonder why girls and gays flock over him like he's a grain and they're the birds. And, he would always dismiss them off with a frown.
Aether is confused. Why would they like a guy whose personality is not so… pleasing? Normally, they would like good and charming guys but Xiao is nothing like that.
Yes, Xiao. He learned his name when he's tiptoeing in front of the bulletin board, trying to find his name and score in their midterms. Then, he heard screams beside him while they pointed at the topmost name— Nemeseos, Xiao, and beside it was the perfect score of 100.
Aether is impressed. It's not easy to get such a score— a perfect score at that. But, he's more focused on finding his own name and his own score, and his eyes eventually drift in the middle section, spotting his name— Celeste, Aether, 85.
His eyes widened, immediately pulling out his phone to take a picture. He snapped a pic out of it, all smiles and proud of his little achievement. However, he's interrupted with a rather harsh shove. Aether, annoyed, starts to speak up but is interrupted again with a bunch of screams from the girls, and they're hunched up with each other as they surround the raven-haired guy who merely stared at the name Xiao Nemeseos and immediately left.
Oh, Aether thought, Xiao is his name. He blinked and pondered, he's smart. He rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes at the fading silhouette of Xiao— is that the reason why they like him?
The bell rang. Aether was snapped out of his thoughts, and shoved his belongings inside his bag. He grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder while he left their room. He remembered Lumine's text message earlier, saying that she needs his assistance, 5 pm sharp. Aether sighed and quickened his pace more, since he's late. He glanced at his watch, not minding the surroundings, swiftly slipping in between the narrow crowd.
Then he slammed into someone. Aether fell on his butt, and it's so painful— he immediately stood up and caressed it, probably to alleviate the pain. Then he realized that the person he slammed into was probably hurt too, so he decided to check on them.
And he saw him. Xiao Nemeseos. His eyes widened, roaming back and forth, around, and he's in utter disbelief not knowing what to do. He decided to fix the strap of his back and extend his hand out, as what a good person would do.
He's just thinking about him earlier, and he's here. "I-I'm really sorry! Are you okay?" Aether asked worriedly, biting his lips, nervous and agitated. Lumine is likely waiting for ten minutes now, and Aether is scared. His twin sister's anger is no joke. How he wished that Xiao would accept his kind gesture so he could leave without fuss. "I really, really apologize…"
Xiao accepts his hand, and his grip is tight and warm, almost as if he doesn't plan on letting him go. Aether sighed and pulled him upwards, then smiled, "Are you hurt? I can… uh… bring you to the infirmary!" He offered, but Xiao shook his head.
"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
Aether let out a relieved sigh and retracted his palms, "I'm glad. W-Well… I still have something to do so I'll be off!" He didn't wait for Xiao's response and waved his hands, skipping his way to the exit— an attempt to hide his embarrassment through false cheerfulness.
Sheesh. He hoped that Lumine wouldn't scold him. She's terrifying, really. No offense, but that's the truth.
Xiao felt some sort of attraction to this one boy.
Not romantic in any sense, no. It's purely curiosity. This guy talks too much— enthusiastic — and from what he observed, he's a bit clumsy. He's not so popular, but he's just too bright, and Xiao couldn't help but notice him.
No, not that. Xiao found himself staring at him ever since that day. One month ago, he passed by the nearby children's park in their neighborhood. There's nothing different, the children are playing all the same. But then, an accident happened— a child pushed another child off the slide all of a sudden. The child was starting to sob, and Xiao was ready to step in, now dropping his backpack but then, he came. The kid fell on his arms, and he comforted the child with gentle smiles, caressing her head and murmuring comforting words. The little girl eventually stopped crying.
And that inexplicable attraction began.
Xiao didn't know how, but whenever he passed by, his eyes would drift towards him immediately. Xiao didn't understand, even a little bit. He would watch him from afar, and he'll always wonder how he's so bright, but it seems that the other couldn't see it, and it's just Xiao.
Xiao is confused. What is just so special about this guy that it manages to attract Xiao's attention wherever he goes? He would always go close to his sister and his friends, all smiles and cheerful. But sometimes, Aether will be alone by himself, and peacefully smiling at the flowers in the school garden.
Yes, Aether. Xiao found out his name purely by coincidence. That is when he was sitting on the bleachers, rummaging in his bag to find the history notes he wrote for Mister Zhongli's class. 2 - Favonius is currently having their P.E sessions which explains the sudden cheers. Xiao took a glimpse at their class, and spotted him.
He was wearing the normal P.E uniform, a white t-shirt and maroon pants. He has his blonde hair tied into a braid, cascading neatly on his back down to his waist. Xiao didn't realize that he stopped what he was doing, and stared at him instead.
He was talking with his classmates with a wide, bright smile, and it was obvious that they adore him based on the way they conversed with him. Xiao, as if in a daze, picked up his bag and proceeded to find a seat where he could watch him closer, his notes completely forgotten.
He rested his chin on his hands and stared at him, completely oblivious at the sudden pour of the students who had just finished their classes. However, his musings were interrupted upon hearing Miss Beidou, her voice booming, " Celeste, Aether!"
Then, he saw him stepping out of the straight line, and stretched his arms and legs as he stood in front of the white line on the field. Xiao's eyes widened slightly as he registered the name that came out of Miss Beidou's mouth.
His name is Aether.
"Hmm… Aether, Aether, Aether…"
It rolled down smoothly on his lips, and Xiao could almost taste the sweetness of honey— similar to Aether's hair color. He hummed to himself and continued to watch Aether as he ran when Miss Beidou blew her whistle. Xiao's eyes narrowed at the figure— who's running really quickly. His classmates are cheering on him, which is led by the black-haired guy with highlighted green braids framing his face.
Xiao blinked, slowly sinking into him that he must've gotten really close to the point that he could see every feature of Aether's classmates. He sighed and turned back on finding his notebook.
"Xiao, Xiao!"
Oh. He must've been lost in his thoughts again. He shook his head and bore his eyes onto her. Hu Tao was gesturing towards the door and made hand signals which Xiao depicted as eating. He nodded quietly and placed his notebooks inside his bag then followed her.
He might have been too preoccupied that he just felt someone slamming into his body, that he fell flat on the ground, and as much as it is embarrassing to admit, his buttocks were hurt. He grumbled and he heard Hu Tao concerned noises, but he's still struggling to stand up.
"I-I'm really sorry! Are you okay?"
Xiao lifted his gaze, noticing a hand and… Aether. He gulped and felt the urge to pinch himself to make sure that this was real. However, that would be really weird. He accepted Aether's hand— it was warm, and the other pulled him forward.
Aether retracted his hand from his, now clasping his hands together and bowed. "I really, really apologize…" He muttered, embarrassment clearly evident in his tone. He lifted his face, and worry was shown in his honey-colored eyes. "Are you hurt? I can… uh… bring you to the infirmary!"
Xiao, unable to say something, simply shook his head. They stayed there for a while, until Xiao decided to speak up. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
A small smile crossed on Xiao's lips when he saw how Aether let out a relieved sigh. The blonde-haired male then awkwardly smiled at him, "I'm glad. W-Well… I still have something to do so I'll be off!" He waved him goodbye, not even waiting for Xiao's response as he bolted out towards the exit.
"Oh. He's kinda cute." Hu Tao murmured beside him, and Xiao forgot that she was there. "Are you okay?"
Xiao nodded.
He stared at his palms, and felt himself smiling a bit.
He met Aether.
One sunny day, in the middle of the class, Xiao spotted Aether again. But this time, their eyes locked with each other. Quickly averting gazes, hoping the other didn't notice, clutching their hands close to their chests— with red-tinted cheeks and flustered faces.
"..."
"..."
The local playground is quiet in the afternoon, maybe because the kids who usually play have already been sent to their houses by their guardians. It is also the time where Xiao would pass by the playground, the time where their classes would be over and it's also the time of the day where they came home.
He met him here once. But he didn't expect to meet him for the second time, in the exact time and place.
He saw how Aether's eye widened too at the sight of him, and he watched how he dropped his notebook and stood abruptly from the swing. Xiao could see his uncertainty and hesitation by the way his foot was digging on the sandbox.
Neither of them tried to get close.
Xiao fidgeted with the strap of his backpack, and Aether's hand brushed with the swing, probably finding the right time to sit back again.
"..."
"..."
"Are you ok—"
"I apologiz—"
Both pressed their lips shut, looking away immediately and biting their lips to the point where they knew that blood would come out of it if they didn't stop. Xiao licked his lips and murmured, "you first."
Aether's eyes were wide as he pointed to himself, "what? M-Me?"
Xiao nodded quietly, now looking at him again. He stared at Aether, who's now slowly regaining his confidence and how he took a deep breath before he spoke. "I-I apologize! I was busy looking at my watch and not looking on my way so maybe that's why I crashed into you and probably hurt you. I'm really really really sorry!" He rambled before lowering his head to a 45-degree bow, and Xiao stepped in to grab his shoulders.
His breathing hitched when he was met with Aether's bright honey-colored eyes, and felt himself drowning in it. "N..no…" Xiao mumbled, but quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat. "No. It's not your fault. I should apologize, too. It was my fault for…" —thinking about you in the middle of the busy hallway— "not paying attention."
"U-Uh, hehe, is that so?" Aether scratched his head, his lips breaking out into a huge grin, "then I believe that we're both at fault?"
Xiao nodded, smiling a bit. "I— maybe. Yes. It's our fault."
"Hmm… haha…" Aether chuckled awkwardly, "soooo, what's your name?"
Xiao stared deep into Aether's eyes, not seeing an ounce of curiosity behind it. For him, it appears to be knowing instead. Nevertheless, he still said his name. "I'm Xiao."
Aether's smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. He held out his hand, "I'm Aether! Nice to meet you, Xiao!"
I know.
Xiao took his hand without hesitation, biting his lower lip to keep a huge smile from forming on his lips. "Nice to meet you too, Aether."
Both of them were aware that the simple gesture made their hearts skip a beat, but neither of them was aware of the other's tale that had elicited such a response.