[] IX []

                                    

                                          


A small light shined through the small opening of the tent, going directly into Aethers eyes, so he twisted and turned as an attempt to avoid the early ray of light.
When he had enough he opened his eyes, only to be an inch away from Xiao's face. He wanted to move but he couldn't make himself do that as he was already being hypnotised by Xiao's beauty. He found himself wanting to touch his smooth and pale skin. He looked at his eyelids which were sealed shut, he looked so vulnerable when sleeping. He also watched Xiao's lips, slightly parted as he slept soundly.
Aether blinked a few times when he realised how long he had been admiring the others beauty. "Damn it," he mumbled as he sat up, his cheeks partially pink.
Aether quickly made the decision to crawl out of the tent, he didn't want to spend so much time in such close quarters with someone, though he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder to look at the boy one last time.

"Morning Aether," Lumine greeted him as she saw him. She seemed to be stirring what looked to be soup in a pot. "I'm making breakfast and you better not complain."
Aether only nodded which caused Lumine to pout feeling ignored. Aether was busy staring at Dain who was also staring back.
"I hope you slept well Aether," Dain spoke, trying to make things a little less awkward.
"Hm," That was the best response he was getting from Aether so early in the morning.
"Soups done," Lumine announced. She started to fill up three bowls of soup passing one to Dain and Aether. "I also made this for Xiao," She held up a plate of Almond Tofu, passing it to Aether, "He's a real picky eater so make sure he eats it."
"I know," Aether said, holding both his and Xiao's breakfast in hand, making his way back to the tent.
He crawled in the tent and was surprised to see Xiao awake staring at the yellow walls of the tent. Xiao had also noticed Aether, keeping an eye on the blonde as he sat down beside him, leaving a comfortable distance between them.
Aether placed down some almond tofu in front of him. "Lumine asked me to bring you your breakfast," Aether spoke. Xiao picked up the plate and started eating, the silence between them stood strong but as Aether ate his soup he made occasional slurping sounds by mistake.

— — —
Hilichurls and slimes littered the ground, their bodies slowly turning to dust after being quickly defeated by Xiao and Lumine who were completing the last commission for the day as the day slowly ended.
Lumine suddenly huffed, showing she was clearly fed up.
"Is something the matter?" Xiao questioned, seeing how she also looked annoyed.
"It's just-   Aether, he's being super secretive, even from me," she mumbled loud enough for Xiao to hear. Xiao was opening his mouth to speak but Lumine beat him to it, "I guess it doesn't matter, as long as he stays safe that's all I need..."
Xiao felt the need to comfort her but he wasn't sure what to do or say, so he didn't bother feeling like he would only make it worse.
"Anyways let's head back, I want to get back before it gets too dark." Lumine smiled while Xiao only hummed in response.

— — — 
"That sounds ridiculous!"
"Do you question my knowledge?" A deeper voice echoed deep in the chasm.
"Of course I do!" The blonde easily admitted, "After all you betrayed and left the abyss. How am I supposed to know you're not talking crap?"
Silence hit Dain for a moment, "That's because I believed there was no cure, not until recently." He pulled out an interesting looking crystal he had stored away in a pocket.
Aether curiously picked up the ice-blue gem. Aether coughed, "and this is-"
"It's a gem I found quite some time ago. I had never seen anything like it and before I knew it I was already holding it in my hand, there was something about it that attracted me to it."
"And this has something to do with that cure you mentioned?" He questioned.
"Exactly that. After more investigation I found out that it reflects a person's soul."
"The soul.." Aether hummed, fiddling with the crystal and eventually began to smirk.

= = = = =
Ngl I literally searched up if you eat or drink soup- I'm still not entirely sure.