Oath [BL; Book 2]

20

"Xiao?"

Xiao sat patiently on the rail. Eyes closed, head resting propped up on his hand as he was leaning on his knee. With the usual perfect balance he maintained there was no way he could fall. Opening his eyes as his name was called he looked over. Aether approached placing his hand on the rail and smiled.

"I love you."

This wasn't a surprise to hear as Aether said it every chance he could. Xiao's reply didn't change, "No." Refusing his confession once again, he knew Aether wasn't hurt by it. Saddened, but not hurt. Though, not even the sadness showed.

"Haha, I feel like I say it too much!" Aether chuckled. "Ahh, who's the stubborn one now?"

"..." he turned his eyes forward and closed them again.

These words that followed him closely. He could recall all of the times Aether told him these words.

-Their stroll-

Strolling through the Adpti Mountains Aether stopped to admire a frog on a lily pad, he smiled and said, "I love you Xiao."

Xiao was caught off guard, but crossed his arms composing himself. "No."

-Aether's night visit-

"I love you." He smiled holding up a hefty plate of almond tofu.

Taking the offering he said, "No." Feeling he was getting used to hearing it, but still it was surprising.

-During a random battle they encountered each other-

"I love you Xiao!" Aether grinned slicing the mitachurl that came running for him.

"No, focus!" Xiao got him back on track and sighed looking at Aether who kept smiling happy to fight beside him. "...." he couldn't argue with him, there was no winning.

-Present time-

Paimon flew over and noticed they were together, they were quiet and she put her small hands on her hips going over to them, "Traveler." She got his attention and Aether looked her way, "Boss Lady said we can stay the night but the room has to be cleared out by morning!"

"Ok, we'll head out at dawn then to stay out of her way."

Gold eyes opened and Xiao became curious as to why they had to leave the room so abruptly. "Is there reason to leave?" He slipped off the rail crossing his arms.

Paimon shrugged and answered, "Boss said she had reserved the room already! There's none left."

"Hm, they'll have to clean it after we leave then, it's fine. We can head over to the harbor and get some tasty food!"

"Yay! Tasty food! Speaking of tasty food, Paimon wants to buy a snack!"

"Ahhhh, Paimon." Aether sighed and went to her getting out his wallet. "Don't get too much! We won't have enough to eat in the harbor if you spend it all on snacks!"

"Right! Hehehe!" She flew off happy to weasel some mora out of him for snacks.

Xiao watched their exchange, it seemed they were still getting along, though Aether had strong feelings toward Paimon. They were neither negative nor positive, he looked to hold her at a high level of friendship and cared for her, but there was no denying that some of the things she did bothered him.

Curious, but keeping himself out of their business he drew his spear readying to go deal with some monsters he sensed.

"You're leaving?" Turning his eyes back to Aether he saw sad eyes gazed at him. His chest tightened and he narrowed his eyes looking away.