What's this feeling || Xiao x Aether

I Promise

So sorry for the delay! I will post more frequently since I'm now on summer break! Enjoy!
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TW: Mentions of potential suicide.

No one's POV:

It had been only a couple of days after the incident. Lumine was sticking to her brother like honey and making sure that he avoided Albedo and Xiao like the flu. Aether didn't bother to try and protest. The first time he did, Lumine immediately shut him down and has been with him everywhere. He barely had any time to himself anymore.

The blonde haired boy sat in class, his mind clouded with thoughts of the past few days. He didn't bother to try and pay attention to what his health teacher, Mr. Baizhu was saying. His eyes were staring out the window and at the clouds, until someone snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Aether, what is the answer to question 7?"

This question caused the boy to snap back to reality, his eyes travelling over to the board. He stared at the question on the board for a couple of seconds, the words all looking like a puzzle that a baby put together.

"I... I don't know, sir."

Baizhu snorted, "That's what I thought," He lightly slammed his ruler on the board, "Eyes up here. As well as your attention."

Aether nodded in response, rolling his eyes shortly after. He hated health class, he didn't care for it at all.

After listening to Baizhu ramble on and on about the human body for half an hour, the bell signaling the time for break rung. The blonde haired boy quickly stood up, knowing his sister was about to race down the hall to join him. He hated that she stuck to him so closely. All he wanted was to have some time to himself to think. By himself.

The boy swiftly slipped his bag around his shoulder then sprinted down the hallway, climbing up the stairs and travelling to the top of the roof. He knew this would be the last place Lumine looked since she was never too fond of heights.

As he pushed open the heavy, metal door, he glanced around the rooftop. It was practically empty, except for one person.

The dark haired boy looked so at peace in the wind, his black and teal locks flowing through the air. His pale skin almost seemed to be shimmering under the sun light, the delicate layer of skin looking like it could be burnt at any moment by the sun's scorching beams. His golden, cat slit eyes were only the slightest bit open. The image of the boy looked almost like something out of a movie, the blonde boy couldn't help but feel the tip of his ears glow a tint of red.

As Aether was about to turn around, he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

The previously mentioned dark haired boy was now leaning dangerously over the edge of the fence, his feet threatening to fall over at any moment.

This sent a an immediate shock to Aether's head. His feet began to move at a rapid pace as he raced towards the boy who was now almost off the edge of the fence. His eyes were now shut closed, his arms growing limp as the wind rushed through his thick hair.

The golden haired boy reached his hand out to grab the other's as the boy stood directly in front of the fence, his body threatening to fall at any moment.

Aether quickly gripped the other's arm, Xiao looked back at him, their eyes locking. His eyes were filled with a look of pure confusion and slight horror in his eyes.

Aether was slowly losing his grip on the dark haired male as he struggled to pull him back to the fence. He was not going to let go. There was no way he'd let Xiao end his life.

Xiao was never the happiest person but... Aether never thought he would think to end his life in this way. The pills... had he not been taking the pills?

Aether's grip was beginning to loosen, sweat dripping down his forehead as he struggled to keep hold of his friend who was dangling on the side of the fence.

With all the strength in his body, Aether pulled the dark haired boy over the fence, his own being thrown onto it as Xiao stumbled behind him.

The blonde breathed heavily as he turned around to face the dark haired male, immediately running to envelope him in a tight hug. "What the hell were you thinking?!" The blonde said in a slightly raised tone, tears threatening to fall. The thought of losing someone he cared so deeply for was crushing him.

There was an unnerving thought at the back of his mind, was this all his fault? Had he not been taking the pills since Aether had avoided him?

Had he been planning on taking his life?

Aether could not help but let the hot tears escape from his own golden eyes. He wanted to keep holding the dark haired male. He wanted to never let him go. Ever. Just being beside him felt warm. Just being able to be close to him felt so good. Had he never realized it before? This felt like the one feeling he longed for. The one touch he wanted.

It was all from him.

From Xiao.

The one he hurt so badly.

"I... I'm sorry" Xiao said in a mellow, guilty sounding voice.

"Why... you made me worry so much... how long have you wanted to do this..?"

"...years. I've been holding off on it for so long but, I couldn't help it"

Aether gripped onto Xiao's shirt which was now stained with his tears. "I'm sorry I never noticed... I'm sorry that I didn't help you... I'm sorry that... that I only made it worse for you"

Xiao stayed silent for a couple minutes, the two staying in a warm, and comfortable embrace.

"It's not your fault. You're the only reason I didn't do it sooner. You and Ganyu"

Aether felt guilty, his tears never stopping. The thought of losing Xiao was... was something he could never bare.

"I think Albedo was the last push I needed..."

Aether glanced back over at him. "I...I'm sorry Xiao. I'm so so sorry..."

"Shut up will you... it's not your fault"

"But-"

"It's my fault for wanting to do it in the first place"

Aether slowly pulled back from the other boy, their faces only inches apart from each other. Aether could feel his cheeks heat up at the close perimeter of the two. He shook his head then stood up, extending his hand out for Xiao.

"Promise me... promise me you'll never make me worry like that again?"

Xiao smiled, a genuine, beautiful smile that Aether had almost never seen. It felt like he had just won an award that was nearly impossible to get, his heart skipping a beat once he saw it.

"Yeah, I promise you dork"

———

Uhm, hi 🤠.

I hope you like this chapter! It is the final one of this book!

Just kidding of course.

Thank you so much for 12k views! All of your comments really give me more determination to make more chapters! All of your support is so greatly appreciated that I can't hardly even put it into words. Thank you all! : )

Stay safe and healthy <3