Modern Times (Xiao x Aether)

30) Overloaded (6)

loud restaurant noises

"Aether, table six!" Xiangling says, placing a plate of food on the counter and ringing a bell in the background through the loud noises from the customers chatting and eating.

"Hello? Aether?~ Table six?" Xiangling repeats again trying to get Aether's attention.

"I'll get it." Amber says and places the plate on her hands to serve to customers at table six.

"Is Aether alright?" Xiangling asks Amber as Amber comes back to grab another plate. "I'm not sure.." Amber replies looking at Aether concerned.

"Girls get back to work and stop chit chatting, the restaurant is really busy today, just let Aether be." Chef Mao interrupted the girls' conversation.

Amber sighs while grabbing the plate Chef Mao has just brought to the counter, "Sorry Chef Mao!"

—

I felt someone place their hand onto my shoulder from behind me, I turn around and look up, "Are you alright Aether?" Xiangling asks while looking down, facing me.

"..Yea? Why?" I reply to her question.

"You've just been sitting there for a while." Xiangling says looking over me.

"Huh? Really? I'm so sorry, I'll get to work right now." I say trying to stand up but Xiangling pushes me back down, "It's fine, Amber and my dad got it, don't worry! Are you hungry?"

"..no?.. why?" I ask skeptical.

"What would you like to eat?" Xiangling asks putting her apron back on, brushing my reply off.

"I just said I wasn't hungry-"

"I've been dying to try out this new recipe! You'll taste test it for me right?" Xiangling kept on ignoring me until I finally said, "Sure, why not.."

"Great!" Xiangling replied happily.

"Haha.. yea.. that was so weird, what's with her today.." I whisper to myself, "She's just worried about you." Amber saying as she popped up from behind.

"AH! What the hell Amber? Where'd you come from?" I screamed from shock.

"Oh! Sorry- I didn't mean to scare you! Xiangling is just worried about you, we all are. If you ever need something, just know we're all here!" Amber says smiling genuinely, which actually made me feel lighter inside, like all my worries were gone.. for like a second and a half then it all came back again and it felt like crapping your pants but thirty times worst, but I still felt better, just a bit knowing they care that much for me?..

"Thanks." I smile back.

"Okay~ Everyone clear the counter! Hot bowl coming out!" Xiangling says as she walks quickly to place the bowl down onto the counter.

I look at the bowl of freshly cooked food, and started sobbing, it warmed my heart looking at the dish, and relieved the way I had been feeling for days, it made me feel as if I had support through this. "Ack!- Is something wrong with it? S-Should I make something else?" Xiangling asks looking worriedly.

—

"A-Aether!?" Amber starts worrying as well .

Aether stands up from his chair and hug Xiangling tightly while sobbing. Xiangling seems to understand and hug him back, comforting him. "You can eat whenever you're ready." Xiangling says patting his back. "T-Thank you.." Aether replies still hugging Xiangling and crying.

—

After Aether had finally stopped crying and let go of Xiangling, Xiangling gave him some water "Thank you." Aether replied.

"You should eat it while it's warm." Xiangling says pushing a pair of chopsticks toward Aether, urging him to eat.

".." Aether looks down at the food for a moment, and he smiles softly, "Alright.. then, thank you." Aether says grabbing the pair of chopsticks to eat.

—
after his shift
—

'I really don't want to go home right now..' Aether thinks to himself while walking alone.

Aether decides to go to a nearby park, sitting down at a wooden table at the park and laying his head down.

"Aether?" Aether immediately jolts his head up, "Xiao?"

"Are you alright?" Xiao asks staring at him.

Aether stares at him for a moment before starting to sob like a baby tellimg Xiao what happened blah blah blah..

Xiao doesn't say anything, he sits besides Aether and holds him as he cries.