Stars of the "fake sky" [ •Xiaother Oneshots• ]

Umbrella ☁️>🌟

Xiao isn't one for emotions, or hard feelings like sadness or love, but something about the thought of Aether leaving... Well, Xiao doesn't like it. He'd say it's okay and the blonde should just go live his life or whatever, but Aether knows better than that.
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Aether's shoes made a soft 'clopping' sound with every step on the sidewalk. He was on a walk with his sister, Lumine, but she left with a few friends when they approached her a while ago.

Right now, Aether was making his way to the local dollar store to buy an umbrella, as it started raining not long ago and he didn't bring a jacket or umbrella.

When he made it to the dollar store, he noticed that they were out of umbrellas, likely because others also forgot an umbrella. He sighed in defeat, looking exasperated. "Of course they ran out of umbrellas when I need one..." Aether mumbled to himself, turning on his heel as he prepared to leave the store. That was when he heard the bell ring, meaning someone entered the store. His eyes widened slightly, looking a little relieved. "Aether?" Xiao spoke up, his expression speaking more words than his lips were. One look at him and you could tell he was asking 'what's with that look?'

Aether chuckled sheepishly as he saw the look he was given, "ah, it's nothing. How are you, Xiao?" He asked, adjusting his hair subconsciously.

"I'm doing fine. Why are you just standing in here?" The ravenette replied, asking a question of his own in return.

"Oh, right, I was gonna buy an umbrella, but it seems they ran out. I guess I'm not the only one who forgot to check the weather forecast..." Aether sighed, a small smile still on his face all the while. "Anyways, what are you doing here, hm?"

"I came here to buy cough drops for Hu Tao. She's sick." Xiao answered plainly, walking further into the store. He then spoke up again, "I'm assuming you're stuck here waiting for the rain to settle down then? If so, I can walk you home. I have an umbrella." He said while taking a box of cough drops off the shelf and walking to the front to pay.

"You'd really go through that trouble for me?" Aether asked, his voice betraying his surprise as he followed Xiao up to the front.

"It's not much trouble, plus, you live close to me anyways." The slightly shorter male replied as he pocketed the medicine. "Come on."

Aether didn't need to say another word as he followed after Xiao. One would say he looked like a lost puppy, which, to their credit, he honestly did. Xiao unfolded his umbrella, opening it above their heads as he began walking. He didn't really need to look back to see if Aether was following, he just knew the blonde was.

Aether quickly caught up to Xiao, now walking side-by-side with him. "So... Hu Tao is sick? Did Ganyu also catch it?" The blonde asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

"No. Ganyu doesn't usually get sick, neither do I." The one holding the umbrella replied, seemingly not deterred by the silence. He almost seemed to prefer it. But anyone (besides for Aether) within a five mile radius could tell he likes it more when Aether talks to fill the silent streets.

After a while of walking, they arrived at Xiao's house, which was only a few blocks away from Aether's. "I'll take the medicine inside for Hu Tao and then I'll take you home." Xiao said, gesturing towards the two story house before walking past the gate.

Aether nodded in response, watching Xiao walk into his yard. He always thought that Xiao had a nice house, probably because his parents are rich. Aether quickly caught up with Xiao, waiting for the other to unlock the front door and walk inside.

Once inside, Aether neatly took off his shoes, Xiao following suit. "Dad, I got the medicine you needed." Xiao called out, and an older man appeared from around the corner. "Ah, Xiao, thank you." Zhongli said, before noticing Aether. "Aether, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Zhongli." Aether replied with a smile and a nod.

Xiao walked further into the house and to Hu Tao's room, where his other father, Childe, was nursing Hu Tao. Aether peaked his head in as Childe turned to the door, "Oh? Is that Aether I see? How are you, comrade?" The ginger asked enthusiastically, receiving a half-hearted glare from Xiao. Before Aether could reply, Xiao spoke up, "How's Hu Tao's condition?"

"She's doing better. Right now she's just asleep, as you can see." Childe replied, gesturing with his hand towards the girl sleeping on her bed.

"That's good. Tell her to take this medicine when she's awake." The ravenette said, passing Childe the cough drops before leaving the room, Aether following behind him after saying his goodbyes to Childe.

The entire time Aether stayed at Xiao's place with his family, the one thing on his mind was the fact that he had yet to tell Xiao that he's moving to another country. He got the tickets 2 weeks ago, and told friends like Jeht and Wanderer, but he didn't have the heart to tell Xiao. Especially not now, where his family is treating the blonde so nicely. It didn't feel right. Of course, he couldn't just leave out of the blue, but he also didn't know how to tell the ravenette.

"Aether? You okay?" Xiao asked, noticing how the blonde was zoning out.

"Huh? Yeah, of course! Just thinking about what I should make for dinner." Aether lied, chuckling sheepishly.

Xiao raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms, but said nothing. "Okay. Do you wanna go now, or do you want to stay longer?"

"No no, we can leave now. I shouldn't trouble you more than I have already." Aether replied while making exaggerated movements eith his hands.

"You wouldn't be troubling me, but sure. Let's go." Xiao nodded as he put on his shoes, tying the laces up before grabbing his umbrella. "C'mon."

As they walked down the sidewalk, Aether was visibly distracted and a bit tense as well. He seemed to have a lot on his mind, and if Xiao noticed, he didn't let it show.

As they stood infront of Aether's house, under the umbrella as rained poured down, making a small tapping sound against the plastic, the blonde turned to the ravenette. "Hey... Xiao, I wanted to let you know something."

Xiao tilted his head, giving a small hum, "hm?"

As Xiao have that look, Aether's cheeks reddened, and he suddenly felt bashful, but that came to an end as he remembered what he needed to tell Xiao. As he opened his mouth, no words came out, almost like they were stuck in his throat. After a few minutes of silence, Aether finally spoke up, "Uh.. right, I'm.. gonna be moving to another country in a few days. Um, I... didn't know how to tell you this, so, sorry for the awkward timing." He chuckled sheepishly, his words almost self-deprecating.

Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and if he felt something about the revelation, he hardly let it show. Xiao looked away, avoiding eye contact as he spoke up a bit more quietly than before. "I... see. I hope that your new home treats you well."

Aether wasn't a stranger to Xiso's body language, so he could tell that the other was upset by the news, but he refrained from bringing it up. He didn't want to embarrass Xiao on top of whatever emotion he's currently feeling. "I'll try to visit every summer, hm? Maybe we can keep in contact online?" Aether said with a hopeful smile, tilting his head.

"Sure." Xiao replied with his usual monotone, plain voice.

Aether nodded, turning on his heel, "Uh.. I'll hopefully see you tomorrow, before I have to go." Aether mumbled, giving a small wave of his hand before he rushed inside.

Xiso stood there for what felt like hours, just staring at the closed door. After a few minutes, he finally turned his gaze and started walking home, a worse frown on his face than usual.

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AN: haii, been js a little while, huh? (it's been 5 months oh god) anw... suddenly got a bit of motivation, so heres a fluff to angst fic