Aru Shah Short Stories and Oneshots

''I wouldn't have it any other way'' (Aiden P.O.V Part 2)

A/N- Spoilers for NOI 

Brynne began playing the tabla, and as soon as she did, the throng of noise fell silent. She began to pick up the pace, going faster and faster every second, the beats resounding through the stadium. One of the judges sat up straighter, paying more attention. A few seconds later, Rudy threw some of his enchanted stones, creating the sound of waves crashing down. The audience grew startled, gasping. This might actually work. Mini was next up, playing a tune on the keyboard that made Aiden feel nostalgic, in an odd way. He missed things he'd never experienced before. But only for a moment did the music tear him away from his anxiety because he suddenly realized- it was his turn now. He took a deep breath. This was it. ''They told me I had to be honest'' he started, and heard the distinct jangle of Aru's tambourine. ''So here's something you don't know. You scare me, but I try not to let it show''. The prospect of the prophecy stating that the girl he loved would be the death of him coming true made Aiden scared to talk to Aru. It made him fear that he would again lose control of his actions, the way he had on that fateful night during Aru's birthday party.

He hardly even noticed the fact that they were now getting a standing ovation from the audience and judges, so wrapped up in his thoughts. ''CHAMPIONS!'' hollered the judge who was called Lord of the Afternoon, clapping wildly. Lady Moonlight flung her sunglasses, weeping as she did so. Relief spread through his body, but they weren't done yet. The door was yet to open. He glanced behind him. The Potatoes were all wrapped up in their instruments, Mini bent over her keyboard spinning out sorrofwul yet joyful tunes, Brynne thunderously playing the tabla, and Rudy spinning his jewels around, music that gave Aiden sadness for the past but hope for the future. It was beautiful, and Aiden wished he could appreciate it more, but he couldn't. Not when there was so much unraveling in him.

Just as he was wondering why nothing was happened, the stage began to glow. Stairs emerged from the big stage above them and connected to their Audition stage. ''The Final Stage has acknowledged it's champion!'' yelled a judge before falling down to the ground. Aiden began ascending to the huge stage, while the crowd egged him on, urging him for more music. ''They said she'll be the death of me, and honestly, I agree'', he sang as he climbed. It had taken him some time, but he'd finally realized who the prophecy was about. On the night when Aru confessed her feelings for him, he'd felt nothing but a floating butterfly-like sensation spreading through his body, as though he could levitate with joy. That had given him the courage to kiss her, to stop her from rambling and show her that he liked her, that he always had.

The lights from Rudy's rocks flickered through the room, washing everyone with soft colours. Aiden turned his head towards the others, singing loudly as Brynne began to play the tabla with only her left hand, using the other one to control Gogo and using it to slowly remove the Sun jewel lantern from her pocket. Rudy threw multicoloured pebbles in the air, spinning them so they formed something that almost looked like a disco ball. The lantern levitated higher, and the door began to glow purple light. Aiden was now losing breath, and for a second one of the judges hesitated, the spell he'd cast over them on the verge of breaking. ''Keep going, Wifey!"' yelled Mini, and he took a deep breath and continued. ''I think you're chaos walking, and we probably won't get through today. But for what it's worth I wouldn't have it any other way''. There. He'd said it. It was hard admitting that Aru could kill him, and yet, he couldn't bring himself to care.

He'd do everything and more all over again if he was given the chance to. The tambourine had stopped, and Aiden glanced back. Aru was rooted to the spot, as if she was finally figuring out who the song was about. He tore his eyes away from her as the door began to open, and a beam of dark blue light shot out of it onto the stage. Silver clouds began to billow around them, casting a drowsy feeling around them. Sure enough, in a few seconds, everyone looked like they were fast asleep. For one scary moment he thought the Potatoes would fall asleep too, but it seemed as if the clouds had no effect on them. ''I'll send you up one by one! Mini, come on!"' Brynne called, and Mini ran towards the portal. Brynne lifted her off the ground and send Mini through the portal. Rudy was next, disappearing the same way Mini did. ''Keep singing, Wifey!'' Brynne said, and he edged closer to the light. ''I'm sorry that I lied, but I've got too much pride'' he sang softly. Every time he meant to tell her that he liked her, that he always had, the words stuck to his throat. Aiden was too scared, and too proud to talk about his feelings to anyone except Brynne. Aru still stood in one spot, as she stared at Aiden. He'd lifted his visor, facing her, desperately hoping she understood him, and she would forgive him. Aru began to run up towards the portal, but her eyes were still on Aiden. They made eye contact and in that moment, the rest of the world dimmed around him. As he revealed his true feelings, it felt like maybe the wall that he'd put up began to break. He sang to her, and only her. She was nearing the portal now, and he needed to act fast. ''Maybe when we reach the end, we can finally start again'' he finished, out of breath, his cheeks flushed. They looked at each other for a final few seconds before Aru, too, was swept into the portal. The only thing giving him hope was that they'd not let him die. That they'd do something, and he'd be back. If Aru decided to forgive him, he couldn't help but wonder about what could be, the potential that they had together.

Finally, he was at peace with his feelings. His parents' failed marriage, the prophecy that foretold death, none of that mattered anymore. Maybe Aru was the true and only exception that broke through his promise that he would never fall in love.

 A/N- I loved writing this one! If you managed to get through 1187 words thanks! If anyone got the tiny Silvered Serpents reference I snuck in there, you are now my new bff. This is one of my favourite chapters from NOI, so I had a lot of fun with this. As always, if you have any suggestions please tell me in the comments. I love reading all of them, and thanks for the ones that i got in the last story!