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

Chapter 9 | Babysitters

Xiao POV:
As my eyes flutter open, I grab my phone to see I have a text from Zhongli. I feel a little disappointed.

—

Zhongdad:
[Xiao, I'm busy with work today and Childe is at a soccer tournament, so Qiqi and Yaoyao need babysitting aswell. Do you think you could do it? I mean, you could have Aether help?]

Xiao:
[Fine.]

Zhongdad:
[Love you ❤️]

Xiao:
[Love u too]

—

Eh, babysitting Qiqi and Yaoyao won't be too bad, right? I stand up thoughtfully and open my contacts to Aether's name.

—

Xiao:
[Hey Aether, do you want to come over later? I'm babysitting Qiqi and Yaoyao and could use some help considering they are about Paimon's age.]

...

Aether:
[YES OFCOURSE!]

Xiao:
[Oh good, thanks, come over at about 4:30 pm-ish?]

Aether:
[Alr, cya then]

Xiao:
[bye.]

—

I huff a sigh of relief before heading downstairs and making myself breakfast. What did Childe whisper to Zhongli?

Zhongdad POV:
One night earlier:

"Aether has said some things about Xiao, actually." Childe leaned back in his chair.
"Oh? What might that be?" I ask curiously.
Childe leaned over and cupped a hand to my ear.
"He said these exact words; 'Oh my gosh Childe you need to help me, I like Xiao WAYYY too much and he probably doesn't like me! What do I do?' But that's not all, he said he kind of wanted to kiss Xiao, too.!" Childe pulled away, a large grin on his face.
"Oh my. That's very interesting." I nod.
"My plan is coming together" Childe winked as he whispered.
...
So what Aether said is he basically wants to... um. I don't want to put that image into my mind. I exhale as I continue to rummage through my emails, swinging from side to side in my office chair. I hope Aether agrees to babysit with Xiao because last time Xiao let them go to the playground at 9:00pm all by themselves. I sigh. How silly.
-

Xiao POV:
4:17Pm my phone says.
I get a notification, it's Aether.

—

Aether:
[Omw, coming early if u don't mind?]

Xiao:
[that's fine. Idrc]

Aether:
[Alr! ^^ ]

—

Not even 7 minutes later a knock sounds at my door, I open it to see a grinning Aether.
I smile gently as we walks in and slips his shoes off.
"So, I was thinking we watch a movie with the girls before bed to calm them down, maybe the bee movie or despicable me." Aether suggested, putting his bag on the kitchen bench.
"You're quite sorted." I say blatantly.
Aether chuckles.
"You never know what they're like." He shrugs.
I nod.

Someone knocks at the door 10 minutes later, I open it to see a middle aged man with long, green hair draped over his shoulder, he worked at Bubu Pharmacy, his name was Dr. Baizhu, his daughter, Qiqi and her friend Yaoyao both stood next to him, Qiqi tilted her head while Yaoyao grinned.
"Thanks for taking care of them, now girls I'll pick you up at 1:00pm tommorow." He gave a curt nod before adding to me and Aether. "If it's not too much trouble?"
"It's fine! My sister is Yaoyao's friend, I should of brought paimon over!" Aether chuckled.
"How sweet, but I must get going, goodbye Qiqi and Yaoyao, and be good for these two boys." Baizhu nodded before walking off.
As Aether closes the door he turns to the two girls who stood at the end of the hallway, Yaoyao chattering while Qiqi stood there like she was dead stiff.

(She is alive in this universe, and no memory loss lol)

"Okay girls, we'll make dinner, maybe play some games, watch a movie and then go to bed, yeah?" Aether suggested.
"Okay..." Qiqi murmured faintly.
"Yayyyy!~" Yaoyao giggled.

The night went on nicely, me and Aether made friend rice before we all played Teyvat monopoly and UNO (Aether kept winning🙄👺).
We all got snuggled up to watch the Bee movie, it was both of the girls favourites luckily. Yaoyao and Qiqi sat on the floor on a bunch of pillows while me and Aether snuggled up in a blanket, the scent of Lavender fills my nose as he grins at the tv screen.
A few minutes later a weight plops on my shoulder, I shift my head to see Aether asleep.
I let him rest, a gentle smile on my face.

Aether woke up before the movie ended and as he lifted his head, his face flushed a bright pink.
"Sorry." He murmured.
"It's fine." I shrug.
How awkward. I clench my jaw.
Aether put the girls to bed before coming back to my room and sat on my desk chair, spinning from side to side, laughing.
"Im soooo excited for Lantern Rite! It'll be sooo fun~" Aether threw his hands in the air.
"Mhm, apparently there will be a wushu lion dancer." I state.
"Cool!"

Aether POV *⚠️ Panic Attack. Skip to next ⚠️ if uncomfy.
I watch Xiao as he talks about events happening at Lantern Rite.
Many questions circle my head, but one in particular stands out.

Why am I so in love?

I gulp a little too loudly and Xiao raises and eyebrow at me.
*⚠️ "What's wrong?" He asks.
I don't know. I want to to say, but I can't.
I can't breath. I try to, but I can't, my heart rate speeds up and my mouth feels dry.
"Aether?" Xiao looks worried and he stands up, lifting me by under his arms.
"Breath, I can't— breath." I feel tears prick my eyes.
Why do I have to cry now? How embarrassing. I squeeze my eyes closed.
Xiao brings me onto the porch, where the cool night air fills my lungs.
I calm down and rub the tears off my face with the back of my palm. *⚠️Keep Reading
"Are you okay?" Xiao murmurs, his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that." I look away.
Xiao places his hands on my chin and forces me to look him in the eye.
"Never be embarrassed about having a panic attack." He says seriously.
My stomach flutters, the way he was so concerned.

I really want to kiss him he is so hot oh my god.

I hold myself back.

No, bad Aether.

I scold myself.
We go back inside and get ready for bed, Xiao sleeps on the floor, how kind. I smile before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

[Word count: 1080]
[A/N: Hey! Sorry for not writing much but this was also rlly rushed, the next chapter might be lantern rite idk. But after the lantern rite then it's just gonna be one shots, still unsure abt smut, also I wanna make a  CYNONARI story :|

Prompt for the story (do not steal)
This story is set in ancient Japan.
Cyno pov:
My lavender sokutai sways in the wind, I admire the garden's flowers, they remind me of prince tighnari. I smile.
Prince tighnari and prince cyno.
That's sounds pretty right, doesn't it?
I shrug and walk off, I wasn't a fan of being all fancy shmancy, why should I?