What's this feeling || Xiao x Aether

Passing Feelings

3rd person POV:

The two boys quickly exited the room, the blonde swiftly grabbing onto the other's hand and running out of the large dorm building. It was a Saturday so they had the whole day to spend time together.

Aether dragged Xiao all the way to the park. The trees were a beautiful, lush shade of green. The large lake in the middle of the park was fenced off by newly painted wooden fences. A bridge connecting in the middle of the lake for people to snap photos of the beautiful scenery around them. The lake was filled with fish, ducks and many different plants.

They both ran to the fence of the lake, Aether grabbing onto it it with a huge smile on his face as he leaned forward. Xiao couldn't help but feel the corners of his mouth twitch once he saw that gorgeous, blinding smile of the other boy. He slowly made his way to Aether's side, his hands resting a cross one another.

Aether glanced over at the dark haired male then turned his body to face him. He reached his hands out to grab Xiao's and smiled.

Xiao felt his face heat up, his cheeks a dark and his eyes sparkling from the warm, fluffy feeling in his chest. God... he couldn't tell if he liked or despised this feeling.

"Hey hey, we should take some pictures! It looks especially good today. The park I mean. The park looks uh... nice!"

Xiao sighed. Aether's cuteness was too much for him. A small smile appeared on Xiao's face as he nodded in agreement.

Aether stared at Xiao for a few seconds before cupping his face in his hands.

Xiao flinched. It was the same thing Albedo did when he cornered him.

Xiao's hands immediately gripped onto Aether's wrists, though, they didn't pull them off. For some reason, Aether's hands on his face didn't bother him like Albedo's. They were... more warm and soft.

"You know Xiao, you should smile a bit more often. I really like your smile"

Xiao slowly guided Aether's hands away from his face as he had a confused expression plastered on his face. "So you want me to keep a smile on my face all the time?"

Aether laughed softly at him. "No no! Then it wouldn't be as special! I like seeing your smile when it's genuine. It's like a reward when I can make you happy!"

Xiao comprehended the words in his head for a few seconds before speaking again. "If smiles appear when one is happy... why is a smile not constantly on my face when I'm around you?"

Aether stared at him stunned his face glowing a bright red. "U-uh... w-well... I guess it's not always when you're happy! Ahah... you really should be careful of what you say Xiao..."

Aether mumbled something that Xiao wasn't able to hear after that. As Xiao was about to ask another question, Aether quickly snatched his hand and dragged him over to the bridge. "Well then! Let's go take some pictures now!"

The pair walked over to the bridge, walking carefully along the wooden steps as Aether pulled out his phone and begun snapping photos of the scenery. He also pulled Xiao next to him to take a couple selfies.

They stayed walking in the park for quite awhile until they finally decided that they should move on to another place. As they begin to leave the park, Aether spotted something out of the corner of his eye, or rather, spotted 2 people walking together.

They were oddly familiar.

Aether examined their features more thoroughly as they slowly came closer. The taller one had long, beautiful blue locks, darker skin and an eyepatch on his right eye.

The other was...

Albedo.

Aether quickly looked away from the pair, who's arms were linked as they laughed and chatted away. It hurt Aether's chest. Seeing Albedo have so much fun with someone other than himself. But... it wasn't terrible, unbearable pain. It was more like a wasp stung him right in the heart.

Xiao spotted the two walking, then noticing Aether who was clenching the fabric near his heart as he stared at the ground. He sighed internally. He knew how it felt. Seeing someone you love with someone else. It was painful.

Xiao placed his hand behind the blonde's head, pulling him towards his shoulder.

Aether clutched onto Xiao's shirt loosely, then corners of his eyes stinging just a bit. They stood like this for a few minutes, Xiao passing his fingers smoothly through the blonde's silk hair mindlessly as Aether stayed in his comfortable embrace.

Shortly afterwards, Aether pulled back, his cheeks a slight shade of red as he scratched the back of his head and stared at the ground. "S-sorry about that Xiao... I just..." He sighed.

Xiao stared at the top of his head before grabbing hold of Aether's warm, yet rough hand. "It's fine. I know how it feels anyways. It's painful."

Aether snapped his head back up to him, realizing that he was talking about him. "I-"

Xiao silenced him with a quick squeeze of his hand, tugging him out of the park afterwards. The feeling of having Aether's hand in his was amazing. It felt so natural. He loved it.

Too bad the other didn't feel the same.

...

Or so Xiao thought.

                                     ———

Thank you so much for reading this chapter! Again another late update </3. I'm so sorry.

I just begun school again and I'm hoping to start working on more chapters. Sorry if they're inconsistent but I'll try to keep the quality good!

Thank you! Stay safe and healthy <3