What's this feeling || Xiao x Aether

Why do you make me feel this way?

𝐗𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐏𝐎𝐕:

Riiiiiing

The sound of the bell made my eyes flash open. Right, I was at this hellhole of a place called school. I picked up my bag and quickly made my way to my locker, not bothering avoiding people that were in my way.

I got to my locker and stuffed all my stuff into my bag, tossing it onto my shoulder once it was fully packed. I brushed my hair out of my eyes, it's been getting longer but I've never bothered to cut it.

As I left my locker and made my way down the crowded, my eyes set upon a familiar blonde haired boy. I stopped in my tracks and noticed that he was with a shorter blonde female and a darker haired male with two braids on either side of his head. I shook my head slightly then continued to walk to my class. Just after a few steps, I heard a familiar voice call out:

"Xiao wait!" I turned around and my eyes immediately locked onto the golden yellow eyes, the same eyes that I've grown to love for so many years. He caught up to me and let out a sigh, removing his hand from his side, revealing a small brown bag of money.

"You dropped your wallet, you should really be more careful with this" He let out a small chuckle and handed it to me. There it is. That bright beautiful smile of his.

"Thanks..." I took the wallet from his hands and quickly stuffed it into my pocket. I looked back at him and he smiled softly. God damn it. That smile again. I averted my gaze quickly, making sure that the slight red on my face couldn't be seen and swiftly turned around as I began to move my feet. Suddenly, I felt a hand grab onto my wrist and I turned back around to face the same boy.

"What?" I stared at him with a blank expression.

"I uh... I was wondering if you'd like to come to the cafe with Lumine, Venti and I after class?" He asked while shifting from foot to foot.

I thought for a second. I never did like interacting with other people but, Aether was different. Just his presence made me feel warm inside, it felt like my stomach was doing flips, what is this feeling? It's disgusting.

"Fine" I replied blandly. He smiled once again before we exchanged goodbyes and he ran off to join his friends. I sighed, clutching my shirt to where my heart was. Why was it beating so fast? It always happened when he was around. I hated it. I pivoted on my foot and walked off to my classroom.

𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨

I had my eyes shut and my head was resting on the table. Everyone around my started to exit the class as I stayed seated at my desk.

"Xiao" I heard a voice say to my right. I groaned and dug my head deeper into my arms.

"Come on Zhongli, if he doesn't get up he'll be locked inside the school. That would be fun wouldn't it?"

I raised my head of my arms to glare at the choppy, ginger haired male who stood next to Zhongli. I pushed myself off the chair and slung my bag over my shoulder as I began to walk out of the classroom, Zhongli and Childe following behind me. I yawned then suddenly, something clicked into my mind. I was supposed to go to the cafe wasn't I? I quickly started to run to the cafe, leaving Zhongli and Childe behind.

Once I got there, I took a second to catch my breath as I opened the door. I heard the annoying metal bell ring and the warm scent of coffee filled the air. I looked around the room, scanning each of the green booths and small tables, searching for the messy, blonde haired boy.

"Xiao! Over here!" I heard his voice. I turned to where the voice came from, spotting my three classmates and heading to their table. I pulled the vacant chair and sat down. I noticed that Venti and Lumine were engaged in a conversation while Aether looked at me with his same, soft fucking smile. I felt my face grow hotter as I averted my gaze.

"So, why'd you want me to come here?" I asked

"I uh... need to talk to you about something."

Now I was curious. I looked over at the blonde and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

He looked over at Lumine and Venti then sighed, "I'll tell you when they leave"

I slightly nodded then folded my arms. Why'd he invite the two of them if he wanted to ask me something in private? Fucking idiot.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Venti and Lumine sat up from the table and grab their stuff. They gave small waves to Aether and I before walking out of the cafe, keeping up their conversational as I stared at them. I heard Aether clear his throat, making my head turn towards him.

"So, now can you tell me?"

He sighed then looked down, he was fidgeting with his long braid and chewing on his bottom lip. This is always what he did when he was nervous. I was starting to grow impatient.

"Well? What is it?"

He finally let out a final sigh and looked me straight in the eyes. His golden yellow ones seemed like they were piercing through my soul. I've never seen him so serious before, it was hot. Wait, what did I just say?

"Xiao..."

His voice seemed different, the way it sounded at that moment... it was like music to my ears. It made my heart flutter... even skipping a couple of beats.

"I..."

Come on, spit it out. I was really starting to get curious. My mind trying to find what the boy was going to say. My heart was beating faster and faster as he finally opened his mouth,

"I think I'm in love with Albedo."

Just then, the world seemed to... stop.

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:

Aaaaa, this was actually so much fun to write. I really hope you enjoyed! Any criticism or advise would be so very appreciated. Should I try to add more detail in scenes? Should I add more dialogue? It would be great if you could comment what you think! I will be trying to update at least once or twice a week. Besides from that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and continue to read this book! Thank you, have a wonderful day.