𝐿𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓈 || Xiaother

𝐭𝐰𝐨

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Aether walked down the snow dusted driveway sombrely. His baggage could wait. He needed some time to himself. The dimly lit country road was eerily comforting, and the slow falling snow only added to the feeling. 

Aether didn't know how long the road went on for, but he didn't care. The serene environment took his mind off of racing thoughts that manifested back at Lumine's. With all the people in the room, that considered themselves his family. Welcoming him so kindly. You'd expect to feel anything but loneliness.

He knew in some way shape or form that everyone in that room loved him. He would help Lisa clean, assist Jean with catching up on her paper work, participate in Albedo's safe(?) experiments when he and Sucrose needed a subject. He spent so much time with his sister's family and yet still felt strangely empty. Time between these visits was quite lengthy. Maybe he did need to visit more often. However this conclusion still didn't appease his emptiness. There was still something missing. Living alone in a cramped apartment down town most of the year surely didn't help either. Although it was great for easy travel to work, it could get quite lonesome. Aether looked down at his watch.

It read 8:45.

He kept walking.

A small layer of snowflakes had settled on his golden locks, making it shine in the pale orange light of a fading street lamp. Cold air felt colder as it nipped at Aether's collarbone. His braid didn't cover too much of his neck, so he stopped and took it out, brushing the thin sheet of snow off his head in the process. As he untwined the tightly woven braid, he couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes watching him from afar. Blonde strands of hair flowed at the sides of his face as he gazed around him.

Where was he? How far down the street did he walk down? He didn't know. Looking to his right, he noticed something looming over him. Upon closer inspection, a large wooden home started to take shape, the forest of trees concealing it. Aether could barely make it out, but a small flame was visible, flickering in a window. The amber eyed male squinted, attempting to see further detail of the mansion window. A dark figure made it's way into view. Aether stood and stared at it, snow beginning to collect in his hair again. The figure turned towards him suddenly, seeming to stare back at him in equal awe.

"Aether!"

Someone had called his name. He turned to see who had beckoned him, only to look back and notice the figure gone. Albedo was running towards him and began to slow up as he got closer. "What are you doing out here? Everyone was worried about you!" Aether rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I went to grab my bags... and I guess..I felt like going an a little stroll!" He wasn't lying, but he wasn't going to tell Albedo what made him want to walk in the first place.

"Well...I don't blame you. Sometimes it's nice to get away from it all and just reflect on your own thoughts for a while, instead of everyone else's."

Aether admired his patience and sensibility. Albedo was quite wise for his younger age. He thought for a moment, and decided to tell him what's on his mind.

"Albedo..?" Aether began.

"Yes, Aether?"

"Do you...ever feel lonely when you're around people?"

Nothing was louder than the silence that filled the distance between the two blondes. Aether looked up at the street lamp, viewing the endless flakes of snow falling in the limelight of the street lamp.

"In the past yes. As I found my family and place in life, that feeling disappeared. However, ways to abolish this feeling could be different for you."

"I see..."

Albedo reached out and grabbed Aether's arm. "Come on. We need to get you unpacked and to bed. Something's on your mind I can tell, and you need your rest."

Aether nodded in agreement, and headed back to the house.

Though the thoughts of loneliness and family plagued his mind, he couldn't help but think about the dark figure in the window more.

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Word count: 709
a/n: a bit shorter today, sorry! I'm having trouble writing a lot as I have quite a bit of homework to do! Expect release of 3 and 4 later today. Love you all and thanks for reading <3