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

Chapter 10 | Lantern Rite Lovers

"Your outfit is very nice, Aether."

I grin. "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli."

Zhongli shakes his head. "Just call me Zhongli."

I nod, turning to Xiao, who is spaced out, gazing out the window.

The night sky is beautiful, a flurry of stars strung together, as we near the festival, the horizon turns a hazy orange from the orange of the lanterns.

"Well, you two have fun, and stay safe, ok?" Zhongli says sternly, and Childe gazes at us through the mirror.

"Alright." Xiao rasps as we pull up to the curb to the busy harbor, there are many people around, so many beautiful outfits.

As we get out of the car, we wave goodbye and walk across the bridge to the harbour, its beautiful.

Banners of blue, red and yellow are strung on lengthy, wooden red poles, in the humid air, traditional Lion dancers are circling eachother, dancing playfully as a dragon dances between them, the dancers underneath must be hot.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I murmur.

Xiao nods, but he isn't looking at the festival, I turn to him and his gaze lingers on me, it may not be on his face, but I can see the admiration in his eyes, and I feel my face flush.

It's really hot...

There are stalls of all sorts, toymaking, jewelry, food...

I stop to look at a gemstone store, the crystalline rocks are polished and carved, the shop plays a tame impala song, I hum along to its music as Xiao nudges me.

"This one reminds me of you..." He says shyly and points to a shining, yellow rock.

Yellow Opal.

Yellow Opal resonates with the solar plexus chakra and therefore has an uplifting and revitalising effect. It can help to reinforce positive emotions and bring emotional stability.

I smile. "You think so? Well this one reminds me of you." I point to a beautiful, light blue stone.

Blue Chalcedony

Chalcedony has a very relaxing vibration, so it doesn't overpower you once it encourages these sentiments to surface.This stone helps you be peaceful, grounded, and in your current life.

Xiao blushes, holding a smile before I stuff my hand in my pocket.

"Well take one Blue Chalcedony and One Yellow Opal, thanks." I say, holding out my Mora.

Xiao's eyes widen. "Wait, I can pay for it.." He mutters to me, and I shake my head.

"No, you're the one taking me around here, the least I can do is pay for something." I say stubbornly as the merchant places the stones in my palm.

The crystals are cold, and i pick up the blue one, pressing it to Xiao's chest, specifically to the place where his heart is. He blushes hard, unable to hold a smile.

As we walk, we try all sorts of foods. My personal favourite were the spring rolls, they were cooked so perfectly!

Xiao buys me a fan from the toy makers shop, and suprises me with it. I grin and laugh, tapping his head, and he scrambles away.

"How about we find somewhere to sit for the fireworks performance?" I suggest, and Xiao nods firmly.

"Yeah, come with me, I know a spot." He takes my hand and takes me up the hill to a grassy spot, where we sit on a flat patch on grass.

We watch the people below us in silence, the view is beautiful. A minuet passes, then, Xiao finally speaks.

"Hey.. Aether..." As I turn to look at him, his gaze burns into me.

"Yes?" I murmur.

He swallows nervously, his gaze wavers, like he wants to go back, but it's too late.

"I like you... and- and I've actually liked you for a while now, because your just so kind... when you got paired up with me, you didn't sigh in disappointment and you didn't ask to swap with someone. You bothered to talk to me despite how arrogant I was. And I know it might be weird but I don't just like you, I really like you. And I don't want to say I love you because you might feel weird..." He spewed the words nervously, his breathing heavy, his eyes were so passionate as he looked at me, and I smile.

I don't need words, because I grab the side of his face with both my hand and pull him in, pressed my lips against his, I can tell he's suprised, because for a second he doesn't say anything, then his hand, ever so gently rises, and his fingertips brush my jaw, and he kisses back.

I break the kiss but keep our lips touched, my eyes flutter open, and deep golden eyes met mine. I smile against his lips, and his gaze is soft, relieved.

BANG!

A firework, the colours exploded, lighting up his face, and I don't think I've ever fallen so deep in love, sure, I've had crushes, but never did they work out.

"First kiss?" I ask, and he nods, embarrassed, averting his gaze.

"You?" He asks. And I grin, nodding.

The fireworks continue on for a while, and we lay next to each other on the grass, my fingers intertwined with his, I lean my head to the side, so my head is against his. 

We don't talk for a long time, but who needs words?

[ Word count: 1194]

A/N 

[ IM BACK~~~ and what a way to re-start! I don't know what next chapter should be, i struggled with how to write this so bad 😭 but it's ok! I came back with a bang, just like the fireworks! (Get it? Because like... the fireworks.... Yeah? Ok... 🙂😐😕😕) Also what should the next chapter be? So long ago I promised to do this chapter, and I never did! So to the people who have been here waiting. (You prolly forgor) thank you! Maybe I do a Christmas one... ]

- Butters