What's this feeling || Xiao x Aether

Running In The Rain

Xiao POV:

It felt like the world was frozen at that very moment. The same agonizing pain slowly started to grow back. Could I never leave it?

"Oh, hello Xiao. I haven't seen you in quite a while" Albedo said calmly as a small smile appeared on his face.

I felt a raging anger build up inside me, threatening to burst out at any moment. But, along with that anger... was a different feeling. A feeling of betrayal and weakness, one that I never thought I'd experience. I clenched my right fist tightly as I hung my head low.

"Xiao?" A soft voice called out. A voice all too familiar. A voice that at this moment, I didn't want to hear. Along with that voice I knew there'd be a face, a body, a person... a person that I've grown fond of. But, also a person that didn't return my feelings.

I spun immediately onto my heel and used my right arm to push against the wall as I bolted down the stairs and out the house, a stinging liquid piercing at the corners of my eyes. The only thing I could hear was the faint calling of Ganyu's voice as I sprinted down the road.

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Aether POV:

I sprung up from my bed, running down the hallway and to the stairs that led to the front of the house. I glanced over at the doorway to see Ganyu and Lumine standing there, calling out Xiao's name.

"Where is he going?" Albedo asked as he stared out the doorway.

I made my way to the door and glanced up out the clouds. The once white clouds were now dark and ominous. It was going to rain soon. I quickly grabbed an umbrella from the hanger and ran out the door, trying my best to keep sight of the dark haired boy. I heard Lumine calling out my name from the house, but I decided to ignore it.

I was already a good ways down the road by the time I felt a few raindrops trickle onto my skin. After a few minutes, a light drizzle had started and I knew from the humidity in the air that it would only be a few more minutes before that drizzle turned into a torrential downpour. Nonetheless, I kept my eyes set on the boy's figure, he should've been running out of stamina soon. I could tell he was starting to slow down, so I took this as a chance to use my full speed to catch up to him.

"Xiao!"

His whole body flinched at my voice, growing tense as I grew closer and closer. He began to try and speed up again, his body barely able to keep up with what he wanted. He looked defiant, like it would take a hurricane to make him turn around. After each passing minute, the rain only grew harder. The road became wet and slippery and the visibility rapidly worsened.

He finally stopped in his tracks, his whole body drenched in the rain. The rain was now coming down like a waterfall, blurring my vision and preventing me from seeing him clearly. He made his way over to some trees in the nearby park, with me following closely behind him. The trees offered good shelter so the ground underneath was still quite dry. Xiao sat down, his eyes a light shade of red and his hair sticking to his face. For a few moments, I just stood there watching him, unsure on why he was crying. I slowly made my over to him and sat down beside him. I never saw Xiao this way, he was always the cold, stoic and quiet type.

I was still unsure of what to do in that moment but my body seemed to move on it's own. In an instant, my arm was suddenly wrapped around Xiao's shoulder, keeping his body close to me. His body was extremely tense from my action but, he didn't pull away. I took a deep breath in then began to speak,

"Xiao... I've never seen you this way. I've never seen you cry. I've always thought of you as the thought, stoic type. The one that wouldn't cry for anything. O-of course it's fine for you to cry! I know some things are tough and but I've just never-"

"Just shut up, will you?"

His voice caught me off guard. It was hoarse and breaking, but still the same voice I've known for 3 years.

"I'll fucking explain to you, so just, shut up."

At that, I smiled. I even laughed for a second.

"Of course, sorry" I apologized.

He sighed and wiped the water off his face. He stared up at the sky, his eyes unsure and concerned. Those eyes then travelled down to mine. His piercing amber eyes were beautiful, have I never noticed them before?

"Listen here, I'm only saying it once so listen up."

I nodded, listening closely to what he had to say.

He sighed then started, "I just want to get it off my fucking chest so that I can be free from this disgusting feeling." He sighed again then looked me directly in the eyes, "I hate you. I hate everything about you. Your smile, your laugh, the way your eyes sparkle in the sun and that look in your eyes whenever you speak to me... I hate it all"

I sat there, paralyzed. I watched his amber eyes travel away from mine. A sharp pain hit my heart after each word. He really hates me that much?

"But"

I looked back at him, curious on what more he could say.

"Just looking at you gives me a weird feeling in my chest. My stomach feels like it's doing flips and my face heats up whenever you talk to me. My hands start to shake and I can't keep my voice from stuttering. Why? What are you doing to me?"

I stared at him, a look of pure frustration painted his facial features.

"I..."

"Why is it you that can bring so much pain to me? Why do your feelings for someone else impact me? Why does seeing Albedo frustrate me beyond belief. Why do you make me feel this way?" He turned away from me after that last line.

I could barely comprehend everything that he said to me. Did he... have feelings for me? I opened my mouth to say something but then he spoke again, interrupting me,

"I don't need a damn answer right now. I already know about your feelings for Albedo. I just wanted to get it off my chest."

Xiao stood up, sighing as he looked down at his clothes. It was still pouring, was he seriously going to walk home? He began to take a few steps from the tree. A few steps became many and then... he was gone.

"Xiao... likes me?"
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Author Notes:
I'm not totally proud with the final product of this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for it being late. Stay safe and healthy! :)

Updated on April 6th: 11:34PM