What is this familiar feeling? [XIAOTHER]

Chapter 16: "Wedding Plans" pt.2

"Ugh.. it's so hot.."
Aether flopped onto the couch while fanning himself with his hand.
"Do you want me to turn on the air conditioning up more?"
Xiao kneels down next to Aether and wipes his forehead free of sweat.
"yes pleaseee.."
Aether dragged the last few words of his sentence in a tiring manner.
Xiao chuckled quietly to himself and kissed Aether's cheek before standing back up and walking away to turn up the conditioning.
Aether rolled onto his side and watched Xiao walk away. He smiled to himself before staring up at the ceiling.
"Hey Xiao.. I have a question for you."
Xiao turned up the conditioning before walking back to Aether and sitting near his head, slowly petting his hair.
"yes, what is it?"
"We've already planned the venue and invites, right?"
Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Yes, we have. Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just wondering when we'll go shopping for the outfits. You know.. for us?"
Xiao smiled and kisses Aether's forehead.
"We can go sometime this weekend if you'd like. Or we could always look online."
Aether chuckled to himself and looked up at Xiao, smiling.
"Okay! How about we look at some shops in town before looking online, yeah?"
Xiao nodded in agreement.
"We can do whatever you want, Aether."
Xiao gently kisses Aether before getting up.
"Do you want water?"
Aether nods as he slowly sits up and smiles.
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It has been a few days since that conversation.
Xiao and Aether had just gotten back home from a long weekend of trying to find the perfect wedding clothes.
"Okay okay, let's just look online then.."
Aether reluctantly grabbed his laptop from their room and placed it on the table in the living room. He called Xiao over to sit next to him on the couch to help him look.
"Okay! so, where do we start"

A few hours later, they had finally found the perfect outfits for their wedding and ordered it.
"Hahh, finally!"
Aether fell back into the couch and sighed in relief. Xiao chuckled to himself seeing Aether's reaction. He grabbed onto Aether's hand and stared at their engagement rings.
"Hey.. Aether?"
"Hm? yeah, what is it?"
"Do you.. i mean, are you sure you want to do this.. with me?"
Aether stared at Xiao as his expression slowly turned into a saddened one. Aether tightly grabbed onto Xiao's hand and smiled softly.
"Yes, of course i do. There's no one else in the world that i would rather do it with."
Xiao stared at Aether as a small smile grew on his lips.
"Thanks Aether.."
"You don't have to thank me, Xiao."
Aether placed a small kiss in Xiao's lips.
"Let's go get some rest yeah? It's been a long day."
Xiao nodded as Aether led him into their bedroom.
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Everyone has been seated. Xiao was waiting, patiently. The music started. Everyone turned to look down the aisle. There, stood Aether. His dress flowed and his hair was dancing with the wind. Xiao's face became red.
Aether slowly walked down the aisle. Step after step. Coming closer. Xiao's heart was racing. Aether was as bright as the sun. Eventually, he was in front of Xiao, smiling.
They began to say their vows. Aether was first. "Xiao, I promise to love you forever. Until we're old, after death, and even in our next life. I promise that I'll be good to you and never betray you." Small tears started to run down his cheeks. He sniffled. Wiping his tears, Xiao began to say his vows. "Aether, you are my light, my sunshine, my life. I could never live my life without you here next to me. I promise to protect you for as long as I live and promise to love you even in our next life." And with that, Xiao and Aether leaned in and gave each other a loving kiss.
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Aether's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly. Sweat was running down his back. He looked around the room in a panic. It was dark. The only light was a small night light at the side of their bed.
"Aether? What's wrong..?"
Aether quickly turned his head towards the voice. It was Xiao, next to him. Aether couldn't speak for a moment. His breathe was heavy.
"You're crying.. did something happen?"
Aether was confused. It wasn't until he brought his hand up to his cheek that he realized there was tears running down.
Aether wiped them away before speaking up.
"I'm fine.. I just- I don't know what it was."
Xiao tightly wrapped his arms around Aether's body, bringing him into a hug. Aether couldn't help but tightly hug him back and cry more. He softly buried his drenched cheeks into Xiao's shoulder.
Xiao softly pet Aether's hair to comfort him.
"Shh.. it's okay, it's okay. I'm here for you."
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Authors note: Yay, another chapter after years of not updating it!!!
Okay, all jokes aside, i really do apologize for not updating this sooner. I'm not going to go into much detail about it, just know it has to do something with my mental health.
I appreciate all the support from you guys and i thank you all for waiting patiently for me. Have a great day and good night :))

(take this silly photo of my cat as a peace offering 🙇)