Aether's been crying so much that he had to hide it from Xiao and it was about Xiao
Royal au
Xiao's been really busy all month. Aether hasn't seen or talked to him in all that time. Whenever he finishes early, the blond never feels like talking. Xiao just ignored it. The blond just didn't know what to do. It got awkward.
So everyday Aether didn't have work to do or finished early, he just goes to his room and cries. The room is sound proof, so it's perfect in cry in. But he has to flip the pillows or dry them and maybe change the sheet if it left spots. All he knew was that no one has to know. Not even Aria. Or Apollo. Or the maids. Or Lumine. Nobody.
One time, Xiao came in to Aether crying. Though he didn't notice he was crying, he looked like he was asleep. And he was on a break. That made Aether cry even more.
He put on some headphones and just listened to music while crying. They block out most noise but he can still hear some.
—
-
Xiao was waiting for Aether. He clearly was upset. His usual blank face was replaced with a stern face.
"Aether. Why did you change the bedsheet? Are you trying to hide something?"-Xiao
"I didn't change it. Maybe the maids did. I wasn't here all day."-Aether
"I know it's you. The maids put the sheets backwards so it can stay in place. It's put on straight upwards. The sheet is falling near the pillows."-Xiao
Aether was scared. He was fiddling with his ring. Probably was overthinking it. Yeah.
"I didn't change it. Maybe had adjusted it and forgot about it, but I didn't change it at all."-Aether
"Aether. You're a terrible lier."-Xiao
"I DIDNT CHANGE IT AT ALL!"-Aether
Xiao gave him a stare. "You're acting like a child."
Aether broke. Xiao knew how much of his childhood was lost. All the flash backs were coming in. He ran towards the garden. Aria heard almost everything. She told her father what happened.
"Mommy's been crying a lot here and started changing the sheets when he cried on them since he didn't want you to worry. Mommy's very sad. Are you and Mommy still going to be friends?"-Aria
Xiao thought about it. He did make Aether cry. So much in fact that he ran away. He thought Aether was cheating and covering it up. And he brought up his bad childhood.
"Why the hell is Aether crying? What did you do?"-Lumine
"I brought up some bad memories and some other things."-Xiao
"You have been so busy to forget EVERYTHING about Aether? Hell, your own son doesn't even know who you are anymore!!"-Lumine
"He probably doesn't want to even see me right now."-Xiao
They could only watch the raven cry in anguish for the first time he's ever been here. It was the first time they ever seen him cry.
Aether was crying as well. He was hiding behind a bush crying and drawing out his feelings. They all were trash to him. He was frustrated and ripped them angrily. He then started crying.
—
-
They slept in separate rooms for about three days before Aether decided to speak.
"Xiao. I-I."-Aether
Xiao instead gave him a hug. Aether bursted into tears.
"I'm sorry. For worrying you. The work I have to do is about our safety. I'm sorry that I distanced myself so much from you."-Xiao
"I thought *hic* you forgot about us. Apollo began to think that he doesn't have a father. And, I know that's not true."-Aether
Xiao couldn't help but feel bad. He circled his back since he knew it comforted him a lot. Aether let it all out and cleaned his eyes.
"Come on. Let's go see what you missed all these years. You missed so much of the kids's growth. Also, you need me to start attending some of these meetings. It's about me too."-Aether
"No. I still think you should continue your own work."-Xiao
"Mkay. But more hugs like this for me. It's nice to receive one."-Aether
Xiao laughed and pulled the blond over his shoulder. Aether yelped and soon laughed. Aria asked Xiao to put her mom down when they got to the room, which Xiao declined.
Apollo shrieked. He pointed at Xiao and Aether and shook his head. Xiao smiled.
"Baby, put me down!"-Aether
"No!"-Xiao
Okay so they are in a silly goofy mood at the end, I'm tired it's one am and cynari on twitter and the urge to bring angst stories to the xiaoaether tag URAGHHH
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