Daddy, you're blushing!

10

“Assuming!”

“Shut up, okay?! He might have not done something romantic that night, but his eyes tell something else otherwise.”

“Something that an insane person would say.”

“no, no, no! I swear, his eyes that night, it was saying something, but he was just limiting himself from doing so. I was there! I know he was gonna say something else!”

“Okay, I know you're crazy over Xiao, but I really did not know you meant it that way.”

“Stop being a basher, Aether. Just go along with my imagination. I think he wanted to ask me for a date or something.” Venti's eyes glitter in happiness. It might just be inside his imagination but at least he was happy, right?! Hehe...

“To be honest, your Xiao has improved a lot with you. It seemed that he got more comfortable and touchy with you after the vacation.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I mean, you said he rubbed your bruises last night at karaoke right? We never thought he'd ever do that.” it does... Make sense. He became more touchy with Venti, he was so shocked when Xiao held his hand just like that! But again... What had happened to Venti is something serious, and a normal decent being would probably do that too.

“I'm going to starbs right now 'cause there's air conditioning there, want to come?”

“Nope, I'm good. I'm tired of bgc.” they ended the call and Venti started doing the things he needed to. He was also starting to apply at UST as a senior high teacher. It doesn't matter if it's too 'early.' He needs everything prepared after he leaves this preschool. He'll miss that school, he's been teaching there for only a year, but all the memories were great. All the other teacher there was kind and friendly, which made him worried about the new environment he will soon be in...

It'll be fine!

He'll do good, he was smart, you know?

Thirty minutes into his work, his body finally gave up. He was so tired, his eyes and body sores. God, those wounds itch, he wanted to scratch them but he couldn't because it'll hurt! This is such a universal problem.

He took off his glasses and was about to doze off when he heard a notification from his phone.

Aether Viator › PUTANGINA

It's rare for Aether to say words like these, he must be so mad? What happened? Venti wanted to know but he was really tired... His eyes couldn't hold any longer.

In a blink of an eye, there was already a picture of Xiao and Selene on one table at Starbucks sent by Aether.

Aether Viator › Just saw these bitches here at Starbucks. Hold me back, babe, hold me back, I'm about to stand up.

Venti Barbatos › just stay put, it's alright.

Venti was shaking. S-surely it's just a misunderstanding, right? They can't be dating... But they looked so happy in the picture, though?

First, Xiao smiled at Selene. Second, Xiao looked happy for the first time at the karaoke — he was blushing when Venti got in there too. Third... They're together at Starbucks.

That adds up to everything.

But... But why did you make me feel like you love me last night?

Maybe Aether was right, maybe he was assuming things. Xiao seemed more kind and nice yesterday because he was happy, happy because of Selene.  That's all! Cmon, Venti, why did you even think it'll go as far as that? He wanted to cry so badly, but his tiredness was stopping him from doing so. He can cry later, but I swear — his body was hurting so bad, he needed rest. He'd choose to rest than cry over a man who would never even love him.