The Sunbearer Trials: Teo x Aurelio

Not Jealous

To whom it may concern, Aurelio was in no way jealous of Niya.

Okay, he was jealous of the relationship she had with her dads. But he was jealous of everyone's relationship with their parents.

But no, he was not jealous of Niya.

He didn't feel burned inside when the earth semidios became friends with Tio so soon after his and Teo's...falling out.

Which was all his fault.

No he was not jealous of how Niya was always able to hang out with him when all the gods came together. She wasn't afraid of her parents being mad, her friends looking down on her, or leaving her siblings' side.

No he was not jealous when Teo burst out laughing once at one of Niya's jokes. (He would later learn it was an inside joke, just between the two of them. One he couldn't possibly get because he hadn't been there).

No he was not jealous when he learned the two texted frequently. No he was not jealous when Teo would run right past him to say hi to Niya. Not he was not jealous when Niya would hang out with Teo and the other Jades instead of the gold, actually having fun instead of preening to impress the press and their parents. No he was not jealous when Niya hung out with Teo and his mom.

He was not jealous of Niya. Because it was Aurelio's own fault.

He was the one who stopped talking with Teo. He was the one who let Ocelo and Aristela drag him away from their friendship. He was the one who let his mother get to him. He was the one who let everyone else decide for him.

And he was happy that Teo had a friend (he was also aware that there was no attraction between Niya and Teo), one he could count on, one who wasn't afraid of anyone, one who wasn't afraid to be themselves.

Actually, Aurelio was jealous of Niya.