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

Chapter 7 | The Ocean Waters Effect |

Aether POV:
"Bet, last one there's a rotten egg!" I grin as I sprint toward the water.
"Hey! Not fair!" Xiao chases after me and somehow is faster then me.
He clashes behind me and we tumble into the water, a bundle of messy laughing as the waves crashed gently around us.

That moment felt like time was nothing. Like it was just us.
The waves silenced as me and Xiao just stared at eachother, Amber-Brown met yellowish gold, sparkling with such gentleness I couldn't muster.
Xiao was so close, I could feel his breath on my lips.

CRASH!

A forceful waved made us both tumble, the moment I sit up I burst into laughter, Xiao joining in.
As he sobered form his laughing, Xiao spoke.
"Sorry, I almost-" He choked on his words.
"You're fine." I sighed, hiding my extreme disappointment.

As the sun lowers toward the horizon, me and Xiao sit on the beach, I lean back onto my hands and sigh.
"Aether." Xiao murmurs, glancing toward me.
"Hm?" I hum in response.
"Is it okay if I ask where you got those scars?"

Aether tensed.
"I... okay." He sighed.
"Sorry if it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me." My gaze softens.
"No, no." Aether waved a hand. "At my old school, I was often bullied for not being from around here, people hit hit me and kicked me, throwing insults about me and my sister, one day I fought back and the teacher told off me, leaving me with a warning, my sister found out and instantly left to here, they harmed me so bad once that they gave me scars, they attacked me with a knife." Aether's voice cracked, I glance over to him to see him with tears in his eyes, he looked down at the sand.
"Aether..." I murmur, the air was tense, so I did what any good friend did and pulled him into a gentle embrace.
Aether relaxed in my hands, wrapping his arms around my waist. I realised that we were both only in our swimwear.

He's shirtless.

My face feels like it's burning, my heart pummels against my chest and I think Aether notices. That when I get tossed into the sand,I land with a thump and I gasp in shock as I realise it was Aether who threw me to the ground.
"Oh you little!" I growl at him before pushing him, he laughs as we wrestle around in the sand a little longer.
As we tussle his hair comes loose and falls form its usual plait, I look at him as he sits cross legged on my legs, his eyes glittering in triumph.

So beautiful.

I almost said it aloud if I had'nt heared a loud, feminine voice coming from further away.
"AETHERR, XIAOOO, CMOONN WE'REEE GOINNGGGGG!!" Lumine shouts.
Aether stands up and puts a hand out to let me up, as I stand up he grins at me, I smile back.

As the sun lowers toward the horizon Aether turns to me, we both have had showers and gotten into normal clothes.
"It's late, just stay here and extra night, pleasseeeee~?" Aether gives me doe eyes.
"Fine." I sigh.

Xiao:
[Dad, I'm staying another night if that's okay.]

Zhongdad:
[Thats alright, please stay safe Xiao.]

Zhongdad:
[THIS IS CHILDE HERE DONT TELL XHONGLI BUT TELL ME ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN U AND AETH *wink wink*]

I roll my eyes, of course Childe stole Zhongli's phone, I snicker at the thought of Childe's face when he gets told off by Zhongli, that's when I text Childe privately.

Xiao:
[Did u and Zhongli have fun while I've been gone?]

Brat:
[Yeah~ Lots of fun hehe]

Xiao:
[ew]

Brat:
[Like you could ever get to f-]

—

I turn my phone off. That brat. I sigh as I sit next to Aether on the couch.
"Oh, Xiao, let me invite you to the school group chat Lumi created!"

—

*Aether added Xiao to the group chat*

Motherless:
[Emo guy?]

Brat:
[ (Emo guy 2) ]

Motherless:
[HEY!]

Brat:
[Yoooo Xiaoooo!]

Furry dog:
[Hey Xiao :)]

Bookworm:
[Hello.]

Housemaking guy:
[Hello there, Xiao! :D ]

Xiao:
[Hi.]

—

"Aww, they all welcomed you in such a nice way. Not scaramouche though." Aether chuckles.

Aether POV:

The morning is calm, Xiao packs his bag and was standing at the door, smiling gently at me.
"Thanks for having me." He nodded before adding quietly. "And for being brave to share your story to me."
"Oh, pff it's nothing!" I wave a hand in between us.
It's quiet for a moment,I hesitate before finally deciding, just before Xiao turned to leave, I shifted and put my lips to his cheek before smiling and closing the door, leaving a stunned and flustered Xiao to walk home.

[Word count: 885] (Soz it's short :/
A/N: Aww such a heartfelt chapter, I'm gonna make a promise, if you guys share this to others who love xialumi then maybe I'll write what happened when xiao was at the sleepover AND I'll post more! <3
Thank you to whoever commented/liked/or even just read the story!!! PS. could you tell who was who in the group chat? Hehe.
PPS. I wrote this in the car so if there's spelling mistakes don't mind it bc I didn't proofread hehe.