What is this familiar feeling? [XIAOTHER]

Chapter 8: The Promise We Make Pt.1

(please go support the artist!)
__________________
"I still can't believe Ganyu heard all of that.." Xiao did a low growl. "Aw, come one Xiao, it's not that bad! It happens to all of us eventually." Aether attempted to cheer up Xiao but failed. "Oh! Here we are!" Aether grabbed Xiao's hand and ran into the store. It was a small book store that had a jewelry shop a part of it. Aether and Xiao weren't really big fans of books but recently, Aether's favorite author released a new book and it was being sold near them!

Aether looked around for a bit. He noticed there was a second floor and turned to Xiao. "I'm gonna head upstairs to see if it's there. I'll be back in a bit!" Aether smiled and ran upstairs. Xiao then looked over to the jewelry store. There was a big poster that said 'promise rings.' He perked up and began to walk towards the shop. "Hello! What brings you here today?" The lady that was attending to the store welcomed Xiao. "..I was just looking at the..the promise rings poster you have." Xiao became slightly embarrassed. "Oh~ getting something for your girlfriend?" The lady smirked. "It's actually for my.." Xiao paused. "It's for my boyfriend." The lady gasped. "Ah! I'm so sorry! I just assumed!" The lady bowed in apology. "You don't have to apologize. You didn't know." It became silent. "Uh...So, you want promise rings?" Xiao nodded. "Well you came to the right place!" The lady smiled. "If you'll just follow me, the rings are
over here!" She motioned for Xiao to follow her. They walked to the other side of the store. "Here we go! Take a look at them and see which ones you like!"
Xiao looked down at the rows of rings. He knelt down to get a better view. Most of them had writings inside of the ring with a small gem on the outside. "Is there any unique type of rings?" Xiao looked up at the lady. "Huh? Oh yes! if you would follow me." She began to walk to another part of the store. Xiao following close behind. "If you'll look here, these are some special type of rings." She guided her arm to a small glass case of more rings. "These rings are basically the same as the other ones. Except, these ones have intertwined ores that have been never found for more than 2,000 years!" Xiao looked down. He saw a ring that had two ores imbedded in it. The label under it said it had Cor Lapis and Crystal. Xiao stared at the ring for a moment. "So? Anything catch your eye?" It was silent or a second. "I'll take this one." Xiao pointed to the ring. "Of course! I'll get it boxed and ready for you. You can wait at the front counter." The lady smiled. Xiao stood back up and walked back to the front. 'Aether is taking a long time just to find a book...' Xiao looked at the stairs leading to the second floor. "Alrighty! You're ready to go." Xiao turned back. The lady placed a ring case on the counter. "Have a nice day!" Xiao grabbed the case. "You too, thanks." Xiao put the case in his pocket and proceeded to go upstairs.
Xiao made it up the stairs to see Aether at the check out counter. He looked uncomfortable. That's when he saw the guy at the counter. He seemed to be flirting with Aether. Xiao grunted and sped walked up to Aether. "Ah! Xiao, I thought you were waiting downstairs." Aether turned to face Xiao. "I was but...you were taking longer than I expected." Xiao turned to the guy and glared at him. "Who's this?" Aether looked back at the guy then back to Xiao. "Oh, he's-" "I was just having a little chat this this cutie here. Nothing bad~" The guy smirked. Xiao grunted. 'Cutie?' Xiao continued to glare at him. "...come on, let's just go home." Aether grabbed Xiao's arm and slightly pulled. "Aw, leaving so soon? I was hoping to get your number." The guy leaned his head on his cheek. Aether sighed and pulled on Xiao's arm again. "Let's just go.." Xiao scoffed. "Fine." They both began to walk away. "Oh~ Didn't know you had a nice ass too!" That was the last straw for Xiao. He quickly got out of Aether's grasp and ran up to the guy. In a blink of an eye, he punched the guy. "What the hell dude!" The guy grasped his nose. Xiao grabbed him by the collar. "Listen to me. Talk to him again and I will do more than that. Don't even look at him. You understand?" The guy was shaking in fear. "Do.You.Understand?" Xiao pulled him closer. "What are you...h-his boyfriend?" "Maybe I am. Now we are going to walk away and if I look back at you and I see you looking at him again, I'll make sure you won't see anything ever again." Xiao put the guy down and smiled. He then walked back towards Aether.
____________________________
They had finally arrived back to Aether's house. It's been a long day. Aether and Xiao went into his room. Aether plopped onto his bed and sighed. "...you didn't have to do that..." Aether became quiet after they left. Xiao put down the bags he was carrying. "What do you mean?" Xiao walked towards the bed and sat down. Aether sat up. "You didn't have to punch that guy!" "What!? It was obvious he was making you uncomfortable!" "You still didn't have to do that!" Aether and Xiao began to argue. This would be their first argument in their relationship. "Xiao please just listen to me! A bystander could've called the cops!" "If someone called the cops then they would've came already!" It became quiet. It was quiet for a long time. Both just sat there awkwardly. Aether sighed and decided to speak up. "....Xiao I-...I'm sorry. I just want you to be safe..." "....." Xiao didn't say anything. In defeat, Aether got under the covers and laid down. "goodnight, Xiao..." Aether then drifted off to sleep. Xiao had tears forming in is eyes. He had never wanted this to happen. The thought of losing Aether was just too much. Xiao's sigh was shaky. He decided to lay down and hope everything is okay the next day. Slowly, he got under the covers and hugged Aether from behind. He whispered in his ear. "i'm sorry." Xiao drifted off to sleep holding that guilt and fear.
_______________________
Author's note: AUGGHHH IM SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT AGAIN 😭😭 I've been really sick this past week and i've had no energy to do anything so i'm trying my best. I wanted to get this out sooner but things got stressful. Again, i'm sorry for the wait and J hope i can make it up to you :(

(I took this picture Monday and I think it looks pretty :) it's my eye btw. hate that my nostril is in the picture 😒)