TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

Finally Back

**AIDEN IN UNI AU**

Aiden Acharya stepped out of the terminal of the airport.

He was finally back in Atlanta after the first semester of University was over. Aiden looked around for Brynne, and possibly Aru.

"Aiden!" a familiar voice said. He turned to the left, where he saw his best friend, Brynne.

She smiled, walking up to him and giving him a big hug. "How was the flight, Ammamma?" she asked. 

"It was fine, Bee," said Aiden. He looked around in search of-

"Aru isn't here right now," said Brynne, putting a hand on his shoulder. "She had to go somewhere, so she told me to go without her." 

"Oh," said Aiden.

 He felt a little dejected, but it was fine.

The two went to the parking lot of the airport and Brynne hoisted up his suitcase into the car, as if it were nothing.

The air was chilly, snow falling in small droplets. It made Aiden tug his jacket, as if trying to cover himself up more.

"Yeah, it's been pretty cold lately," said Brynne, shivering. "You ready to go back after a week?" she asked, smirking. 

Aiden glared. "I just got here," he said. "You really want me to leave that quick?" 

Brynne snorted. "I know someone who wouldn't."

Aiden instantly felt heat rush to his face, and he didn't feel cold anymore.

"Y'know your girlfriend has been really happy this whole week," said Brynne, looking directly at him. Aiden smiled. "I know."

"Hey," said Brynne. "You're my best friend and all, but Aru is my sister, and if you hurt her in any way, I will end you." Brynne turned to him, her face stern. "Got that, Acharya?" 

"Noted, Bee," said Aiden.

The way home was filled with little conversations about school, their usual best friend talks, random teasing and joking.

Brynne's car finally pulled up at the driveway of the Acharya house. His mother, Malini, was standing at the door, looking at the car expectantly. The chilly weather made the tops of her cheeks red, but she still looked lovely nonetheless.

As soon as Aiden got out of the car, Malini engulfed him in a hug, kissing his cheek. Aiden smiled. His mom was one of the most important people to him, and he couldn't thank her enough.

Malini pulled away, brushing the hair out of his eyes, "How are you, Ace-cakes?" He heard Brynne snicker behind them, and Aiden lightly rolled his eyes.

 "I'm fine, mom," he said. "How are you?" 

"I'm fine, dear," she said, smiling at him.

Aiden smiled back, happy to be back, but at the corner of his eye, he saw someone at the entrance of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

The person had long dark hair that reached her waist, tied into a braid, her dark skin taking a lighter complexion because of the cold, and her chocolate brown eyes glimmered. She was wearing a black jacket with what seemed like a yellow turtleneck underneath with black leggings. 

Aru.

Aiden didn't think.

He rushed across the street, barely checking for cars, as she ran down the museum stairs. Aiden reached the museum as Aru was at the second last stair. He wrapped his arms around Aru's hips and hoisted her off the stairs, spinning her around.

Aru shrieked, "Aiden put me down!" she said in between laughs.

After a few minutes, he relented, setting Aru on the sidewalk. She teetered a bit, but Aiden's grip kept her steady. Their foreheads pressed together, as they stared at each other. 

They just stood there staring as Mini and Krithika Shah walked out the museum door, Brynne and Malini Acharya watched from across the street.

Smiles and smirks erupted from the 4 people watching, but Aiden and Aru just stared at each other, until Aru moved her head an inch closer to Aiden's face.

They kissed. It was short, but full of love. 

Aru smelled of Swedish fish and the rose water-y smell of sindoor, something Aiden had missed so much. 

Brynne whooped from across the street, Mini jokingly grumbled about how kissing can contract viruses of sorts. Krithika smirked and Malini smiled.

Both of them broke away, and Aru wrapped her arms around Aiden's neck, drawing him into a hug.

"I'm glad you're finally back." 

Aiden wrapped his arms around her waist, "I am too, Shah."