Pushover | Aether

Thirty-Five.

Golden sunlight peaked behind the clouds, illuminating the newly pronounced couple walking home with their hands intertwined.

After a hectic school semester in which both parties had grown accustomed to walking home with their thoughts incessantly riddled with anxiety, the comforting presence of the other served to radically refresh both Aether and (Y/n).

For Aether, winning over the girl he had admired for so long felt like finally reaching the sun he’d been chasing—ever since he first saw her stand tall against the world, he’d been captivated by her quiet strength.

For (Y/n), being with Aether meant something she hadn’t known she needed: a place where she could finally let her guard down, where she could stop pretending to be strong and simply be—unmasked, unguarded, and loved all the same.

As they stopped at the crosswalk, their feet rooted to the cool concrete, a quiet breeze brushed past them—carrying with it fragments of old memories. The late-night walks, the laughter, the quiet arguments that always ended in understanding—all of it seemed to linger right there, in that spot where everything had quietly begun.

Finally, (Y/n) broke the silence with a soft chuckle.

"You know, I’m not usually cheesy like this,” she said, glancing up at him, “but I can’t believe it took me this long to realize you were… kind of adorable.”

Aether blinked, his cheeks blooming a shade of pink that made her grin widen. “I, uh—adorable?” he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s rich, coming from the girl I’ve been pining after for ages.”

(Y/n) laughed—a sound that made the morning feel warmer. “Thanks,” she said softly, “for seeing me… even when I couldn’t see myself.”

He stared at her for a moment, smile tugging at his lips as if he still couldn’t believe it. “Wait—so, are we really… dating? Like, this is actually happening?”

(Y/n) only grinned.

Before he could say anything else, she leaned in and kissed him—gentle at first, then firmer, enough to steal his breath and leave him blinking when she pulled away.

“Well,” she murmured with a playful glint in her eyes, “I do live in your house, don’t I?” She started forward as the light turned green, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk.

“Go on—tell Lumine she’s got herself a sister-in-law.”

_____

Thank you for reading :)

To everyone who stuck by this project, I wish you all the best. I may have not been the most consistent updater, but you all stuck by me. I love you all so much! May your days be filled with overflowing love and joy.