[^] Another side to you [^] Xiaother Highschool AU [^]

| Chapter 3 | XIAO DONT MOVE OR ITS OVER |

The day passed by quickly, I was excited to go to Xiao's home. Lunchtime came by eventually and I sat under a cherry blossom tree, the spring sun glittering on the soft green grass. What a comforting scene. I smile
"Hey." i jumped out of my skin when he heard Xiao's voice.
"Oh my- Sorry, Hello! Come, sit." I pat the grass next to me, and Xiao sits.
We both sit there, eating for a while in silence.
"I'm excited to come to your home." I look at Xiao, breaking the silence.
He turns to me in suprise, he had a mouth full of almond tofu, which made him look funnier. And a bit cuter. My heart skipped a beat when Xiao's gaze softened.

Oh my god Xiao is so cute his golden eyes are so pretty and the way he is short but can be so intimidating is also very cute oh my goodddddddd~ My mind swirls.

"You're staring." Xiao murmurs to me.
I blink and my face flushes with embarrassment, I just stuff my sandwich into my mouth, Xiao's eyes widen.
I swallow and squint my eyes closed. Why did I eat so much at once... I know! An icy pole will wash it down, i feel like something sweet anyway, chongyun from my math class gave me this one. I take it out of its packet, since it's warm, it starts melting, so I quickly lick it.
My gaze travels to Xiao, who's staring, blush running across his face.
"Are you okay Xiao? You're red."
"I-I'm fine." Xiao mumbled, he was staring at my mouth, his face going even redder. He buried his face in his hands.
I know what you're thinking, Xiao. I sigh to myself.

As I sat in my last class, I stare at the clock.
"Aether. Aether are you listening?" My alchemy teacher, Mr. Albedo, waves his hand in my face.
"Sorry, sir." I focus back on the class.
*Bell Noises*
I quickly grab my bag, swinging it over my shoulder as i hastily slide my books in. I grab my phone out and text Xiao.

Aether:
[Hey! I'll meet you out the front gate, K? :> ]

Xiao <3
[ K. ]

———
I walk to the front gate, and as I expected, I saw Xiao standing there. I wave and he catches my eyes, nodding in acknowledgment that he saw me.
"Hey! Let's get going." I smile and Xiao nods.
"Xiao?" I turn to him.
"Yes?" He responds.
"Did you hear me talking to Lumine about you and I doing the project?" I ask nervously.
"Uhm... Yes..." Xiao sighs.
"So you heard me say that I was..." I trail off, pressing my lips together.
"That you were Gay? Yeah." Xiao nods. "But I honestly don't care that much."
"Also during lunch, I knew what you were thinking while i ate that icypole."
"What?!" Xiao goes red before staring thoughtfully at the road.
"Don't think about it, Xiao." I laugh.
As we reach Xiao's house, i realise it's a grey Townhouse. Xiao walks up the steps and opens the door, allowing me to step in first.
I follow Xiao down the short hallway into the kitchen. There's a tall man baking in there, he's wearing small, rectangular glasses and his long brown hair had golden streaks in them.
"Xiao, your home." The man smiles.
"Hi, Zhongli, this is my project partner, Aether, Aether, this is my foster father, Zhongli.
"Nice to meet you, sir." I put my hand out to shake Zhongli's.
"Nice to meet you too." Zhongli's gaze softens as he shakes my hand, his grip is firm.
As I follow Xiao toward the stairs, i hear Zhongli call out.
"Keep the door unlocked, Xiao!"
"DAD!" Xiao blushed as I giggled.

I sit next to Xiao against his bed as we write on a big piece of A3 paper. I lean back as my eyes feel tired, I close them so they don't go sore, I can open my eyes, I'm gonna fall asleep, damnit.

-Xiao POV:
I feel a small weight lean against my shoulder, I look to my left to see Aether leaning on my shoulder in a peaceful sleep, I freeze, not wanting to awake him, so i lean my head onto his and close my eyes.

Zhongli POV:
I hear the door open.
"I'm home!" I smile as I hear Ajax's voice form down the hall.
I only ever call him Ajax when we are alone or if it's thoughts in my head.
He walks down the hall to see me facing the sink, I feel his arms snake around my waist as he buries his face in my back.
"Hello, Ajax." I put the dishes I was washing down and take off my apron. I could use a break from working and house chores.
I turn around and return the hug before giving Ajax a small kiss on his lips. Our arms still around each others waist.
"When can we-"
"Xiao has a guest over. Maintain yourself" I cut him off.
"But I've never seen you before, Whennnnn?" Ajax whined.
"Soon. When Xiao isn't home, though." I sigh, and Ajax's eyes light up.
"I'm gonna go say hi to Xiao and Aether." Ajax skips off.
I forgot he's their classmate. I smile. I guess I could send Xiao off to Aether's house once their close enough so I can spend some time with Ajax..
Not even 30 second later Ajax sprints down the stairs, grabs my wrist and drags me up to Xiao's room, signalling to be quiet.
We both pop our heads around the door to see Xiao and Aether next to eachother, Aether leaning against Xiao's shoulder, while Xiao leans his head against Aether, I see Ajax snap a photo.
"Send me that photo, AJ." I whisper to him and he nods.

-Back to Aether's POV now!
I squint to see the orange sky through Xiao's bedroom window. What In barsibatos' name is happening..?
My eyes adjust to the lighting as I realise Xiao is sleeping beside me, his head down. I quickly snap my head up, and shake Xiao's shoulder, he jolts awake and looks at me, blinking a couple times.
"Xiao I gotta go, my sisters are probably so worried, sorry, I'll see you tommorow!" I stand up and put my books back in my bag, rushing down the steps to see Zhongli in the kitchen, and the familiar face of Childe.
"Childe! You live here?" I tilt my head.
"Yeah, did Xiao tell you?"
"Yeah, Xiao explained, I gotta go, or else my sisters will hate me, thank you for having me over, Zhongli." I bow at the brown haired man before rushing off.

[Word Count: 1113]
[A/N: Wowie, That was a very interesting chapter, anyway TYSM for reading this, there will be a new chapter EVERY DAY until the end of this book, which is disappointing but it has to happen eventually, right? Anyway after this book I'll write a Zhongchi fanfic for you Zhongli x Ajax fans 😏
Btw I'm not sure whether this story is good or not, so feedback will definitely help, again tysm for reading, Ba-Bye!]