Aether was struggling to breath, even with the inhaler. Xiao was whispering words of comfort to him, while stroking his hair. Venti was by Aether's side, cleaning his bloodied face with tissue while aggressively punching in the numbers for an ambulance into his phone. Once he had given the details of the incident to the officer over the phone, he called Kazuha and demanded he practically fly to level 6.
Aether's vision was blurry and he would blink in and out of consciousness. He could feel Xiao's hand on his back and Venti gently wiping the blood from his face. He felt the thumping of footsteps and heard Kazuha let out a strangled scream when he saw his state. Heizou and Scaramouche were behind him, hands over mouths, faces pale.
After that, things were a blur. People in white uniforms rushing in, along with the principal and some teachers. Xiao holding his hand, his friends all right beside him, telling him he would be okay.
__
Before he knew it, Aether was in Harbour Hospital. His left leg had been elevated through a cast and white cloth thing (i have no idea what it's called im sorry) while his arms were heavy with casts. Aether's nose had a big, square plaster on it and covering his mouth was a transparent nebulizer.
On the left of his bed was a breath-taking view of the sea. The sun was setting over the view of skyscrapers and-
"YOU'RE AWAKE!!!!" a high-pitched voice screeched into Aether's ear. He winced and turned slowly.
Lumine, seated on his right, was clutching a basket of fruits (apples, from Venti), flowers (from Xiao and Kazuha) and a new phone (from Heizou and Scaramouche).
"Here!" Lumine shoved everything onto his bed, "These are from your friends! Your phone got smashed, sadly." Aether nodded, sickly memories washing over him.
"Are you wondering where Xiao is? They said only family was allowed at this time and apparently, boyfriends didn't count. He's camping right outside this room, he's pissed." Again, Aether nodded, smiling this time.
"So how do you feel? Better now?"
Aether nodded more energetically at this question, not wanting his sister to worry about him.
"Aether, you can't nod at everything."
The boy shrugged.
"Care to tell me who beat you up?" Lumine tried.
To this, Aether shook his head vigorously. Lumine folded her arms and leaned forward.
"You've always been like this. You'd come home with bruises and scars and not tell me who caused them! If you don't tell me, I'll get Xiao to. So you might as well tell me now!" Lumine whined, beginning to cut the apples into rabbit shapes (the ones they have in anime) aggressively.
Aether shrugged, trying to exaggerate it.
"Y-you didn't know them? Then why did they bully you?!" Lumine burst out, almost dropping this knife. Her fury would never be quelled. Someone had overstepped their boundaries and touched her brother for absolutely zero reason. She could not forgive this. She had never forgiven anyone who had picked on Aether.
Aether shrank, eyes brimming with tears. The gnawing frustration of being small and useless ate at his insides. Lumine helped him to sit up and wiped the tears from his cheek. Every tear he shed caused her heart to chip away, leaving her bitter and angry.
"Aether... Aether..." she mumbled, "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I promised to take care of you but all I've done is let you get hurt..."
Aether shook his head. Lumine had done so much for him, even though she was younger. She had always welcomed him home, taken care of his wounds and never pressed him to the point of him being uncomfortable. But he couldn't talk, due to the nebulizer so, on impulse, he yanked it from his mouth and blurted,
"Lumine, I love you! You've done so much for me! Don't apologise. It's not your fault, it never has been. Thank you... for everything."
Aether looked at the nebulizer in his hand, then smacked it back on his face. Lumine stared at him for a while, stunned by his words.
A beat of silence. Then, tears spilled from Lumine's eyes suddenly, streaming out like it had been buried inside for far too long. The twins held each other and sobbed their eyes out. Because the world had not been kind to them. The world had cursed them and caused them so much grief.
But at least they had each other, they only had each other to hold on to. And that was enough.
All these scars they bore, they wore with pride. They were strong, together.
And they would be together forever, right?
*(^u^)*
Hello! tysm for reading!! sorry if the chapters are getting shorter or inconsistent or weird or cringy or anything im so sorry
also sorry for the super later updates! im busy with school work and stuff but im trying my best! thank you so so much for reading !!!!!!
-- kiironing <3
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Ignite
Fanfiction(modern au) The fire burned before his eyes. Aether was sprawled in a pool of his own blood. Xiao stood, frozen, in shock. If he had moved faster...would things be different? Then again, he didn't even know this person. What did it matter? side shi...
