Remember when I said every holiday can have angst?
Aether was in Aria's room. He was singing her a Christmas song while holding her hand. Her brother was right next to his mother sleeping. Aria got sheer fever. So Aether chose to isolate himself with children till Aria got better. To the point where even Xiao began to worry.
"Aether. I-"-Xiao
"You came to tell me you have a meeting all throughout the Christmas month, haven't you?"-Aether
"No. I actually have nothing to do that month. I came to ask what's wrong with Aria and could I help her."-Xiao
"Nothing that concerns you Alatus. Go away you little jerk."-Aether
Aether was angry. He had that expressionless look in his face. He was dead serious. But Aria needed help. And it was his duty to help those in need.
"Did you not hear me Alatus?! I said LEAVE! LEAVE US LIKE YOU LEAVE EVERY DAY TO FEND FOR OURSELVES AND TO ONLY COME BACK AT NIGHT TO YOUR BED!"-Aether
Aether was beet red. He was ready to punch the lights out of Xiao. He got up and walked to Xiao with rage. The blond was tired of being left in the dark about something that concerned the lives of everyone he cared about.
He slapped Xiao. He regretted it deeply, but he deserved it all. So why did it make the blond cry? Why did he cry so much?
"You of all people should know how I feel about being kept in the dark about lives of my own kin and people. Merry Christmas Xiao. I'm leaving to another room. Keep mine until you tell me what's going on or until I want it back."-Aether
Xiao couldn't even speak. He just wanted to say that this Christmas they could do something together. He had a surprise for all three of them.
"It won't matter. I'll drop off my gifts and leave for Liyue. Tell Apollo I said happy birthday. I hope you'll be much more happier without me Aether."-Xiao
"Tsk. Merry Christmas."-Aether
"Merry Christmas."-Xiao
Xiao left the room. He packed his things and left. Though he did leave some stuff on purpose for Aether to remember him by.
After he left the room, Aether went to his knees and cried. Why did he do that? He still loved him so much. And why does it hurt so much for him to leave? Did he do the right thing?
—
-
Christmas time came. Aria gotten better, but still had a few sniffles here and there. Apollo squealed and ran to wake up his sister. He told her it was Christmas and she accompanied him to wake up their mother.
"Mommy! It's Christmas! Apollo says so! Come on! There's gifts!"-Aria
"I don't want to. I don't want to celebrate it this year."-Aether
"Why?"-Aria
"I told Papa to go away and he did. I can't tell him I'm sorry because I don't know if I did the right thing."-Aether
"Papa has his own family. Maybe he will be fine. Can me and Pollo get your gifts and you open them?"-Aria
Aether nodded. He sat up and waited for the loud children to get their presents and open them here. It made him laugh at how energetic they are this time of year. It reminded himself of when Lumine and him were younger.
They brought about two boxes of gifts. There was only one marked for Aether. It was from Xiao. It had a letter attached to it.
"Dear Aether. In the event I do make you angry, just know that I will always love and cherish you til the end. The gift inside here is meant to remember that. Please keep Aria and Apollo safe for me. Love and signed, Xiao. Oh god. "-Aether
Aether opened the gift. It was a box of chocolates with a photo album. It contained all the fun times Xiao took on his Kamera, even though he had no clue how to use it at all. It made him cry.
Why did he chase away his favorite person in this world? This truly wasn't the season.
ehe
700 words
