It's a Long Way Down

Chapter Forty-four: Aeris' Day

Aether woke up with Aeris curled up against his chest. He smiled softly, putting his arm around his shoulders, pulling him close, and pressing a kiss to his head before looking at the bed. Aether may have gotten a little too rough last night and they had broken the bed. He chuckled a little, looking down at the small ghoul curled up against him.

Aeris started to stir, his eyes opening a little, looking at Aether, "You're up?"

"I haven't been awake long," Aether told him, running his fingers along the air ghoul's arm. Aeris just hummed In response, still not completely awake. Aether said, chuckling, "We broke my bed last night."

"Did we?" Aeris asked, not having processed what Aether said as his eyes drifted closed. Aether nodded, "Copia won't be too happy about that. Gonna have to re-budget everything to get me a new one."

"A new what?" Aeris asked, slowly starting to wake up more. Aether looked at his mate and let out a small laugh, "You are adorable when you're waking up, you know that?"

Aeris slowly sat up and looked at the bed, "Oh, shit, we broke it?"

Aether couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, I've been trying to tell you for the past 5 minutes."

"Well, I guess that explains the random drop and the cracking," Aeris said, stretching his arms up. Aether let his eyes wander, looking at Aeris' small body, the scars on his chest from when he had gotten top surgery fading. Aeris noticed quickly, trying to pull the blanket up to hide his chest, just for Aether to slowly pull it down saying, "You don't have to hide, Aeris. I love the way you look. I was admiring your body. You always have and always will look perfect to me. You did when you wore the binders, you do now when you're finally starting to get the body you belong in. You will when you finally get your bottom surgery. I will always love you. Scars and all."

Aeris blushed softly, looking down at his mate. Aether reached up and cupped Aeris' cheek saying, "I love that you're finally getting to be who you want. And I will be here the entire time."

"I know. And I love you for it. Not many would stay," Aeris said. Aether slowly sat up, knowing exactly what his mate meant, "How many?"

"It doesn't matter now. I'm with you and I'm happy. I found a family with your band," Aeris told him. Aether sighed, "They all rejected you because you told them you weren't a girl?"

Aeris slowly nodded, looking down. Aether pulled him into his arms, holding him close as he said, "They didn't deserve you anyway. If they can't accept you for who you are, then they're the problem. Not you. Don't ever think there is something wrong with you, Aeris."

Aeris only barely got his top surgery a few months ago. He was created just last night for sexual activities, which Aether took full advantage of. Aeris, of course, was still feeling a little insecure over his chest. The scars left were going to become the center of attention now and he wasn't sure he was ready for all the questions. He knew Aether would be there to support him, even Ember would be. But even then, he was still scared of what could happen if neither of them were there.

Aether told him, "Hey, I got something for you."

"You got something for me?" Aeris asked, surprised. Aether nodded, letting the small ghoul go, getting off the bed, and pulling on his boxers before walking to his closet, "You're gonna love it, babe."

Aeris just watched as Aether disappeared into his closet, soon coming back with a small wrapped box. Aeris smiled softly, taking the box from him and saying, "What's it for?"

"What? I can't get you something just because?" Aether asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. He motioned to Aeris to open the gift, the ghoul slowly unwrapped it and opened the box, revealing a small blue and white dinosaur plushie with gray spots. His eyes widened as he took it out of the box, "Oh, my Satan, I love it!"