Pushover | Aether x Reader

Nineteen

Why was he here? Why did he, Aether Zeus, a.k.a Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes, decide to break into the cellars to have a little chat with Zandik, a psychopathic juvenile? Was it to confront him? Was it to get answers to his questions? Or was it to convince himself he was not the coward he had always thought to be?

Whatever it was, it still felt wrong to be poking his nose into other people's business. Despite having been directly involved in the recent incidents, the poor boy still believed he had no right to interfere in any way (well, except for that night, I guess).

"Whaddya want?" There it was. The question both he and Zandik had been thinking the moment his silhouette had even stepped into the room.

"Uh..." Aether lowered his head for a bit as he buried his hands in his pockets for comfort. "Why did you do all that?"

Zandik scoffed, "What a stupid question. You gonna try to sympathize with me or something? I nearly killed you twice, and I ain't afraid to do it again, Zeus."

Aether sighed. He did not know why he expected a different response. "Are you always like this?" He raised his voice; his patience gone.

"Like what?"

"Like the world has wronged you and therefore all your wrongdoings are valid."

Zandik glared at him, getting dangerously close to him despite the bars. "What did ya say?"

"How can you still think you're so righteous despite everything you've done?"

"Because I deserved to do it." Zandik gripped the bars tightly, scowling. "All you pretty and 'likable' people always get the spotlight while we are kicked and bullied for existing! Ever thought of checking up on people like me? I bet you've never thought of it because everything's always handed to you on a silver platter!"

"Don't underestimate the struggles that I go through." Aether glared back. "Just because I didn't suffer the same way you did doesn't mean you get to dismiss me. And there is a reason I'm 'likable', it's called being kind—"

"Being kind has never gotten me anywhere. It's gotten me name calls like creep and stalker, not popularity like you! Just admit it, you have no right to speak like we're suddenly on the same level."

"Because we're not." Aether crossed his arms, leaning in closer. "The stark difference between you and me is the way we respond. You get rejected once and act as if everyone has wronged you."

"You don't know anything so shut your—"

"I don't, but anyone knows that you probably should have asked for help instead of murdering all those people." Aether looked him in the eye. "Tell me, Zandik. Were you and Ayaka actually friends? Did you actually try and take out Kunikuzushi on behalf of (Y/n)? Or are you just using all these people who've given you chances as an excuse?"

That seemed to be the last straw. Zandik wasted no time in reaching through the iron bars and grabbing the blond boy by his collar. He pulled Aether towards himself and against the metal railings, a feral look on his face.

"Shut up," he demanded. "You don't know what I'm capable of, Zeus."

Aether said nothing but look him in the eye. "Then show me." It was a big mistake on his part, yet he didn't seem to think the same.

Bam! Zandik was lucky he had no inmates as he was only temporarily imprisoned. Had he any inmates, he would not have been able to hurt Aether so much. What irked him, even more, was how Aether reacted. 

What was it that he saw in his golden eyes? Was it anger? Disappointment?... Pity?

"Do you want to die?! Do you want to die?!" At this point, he was already in hysterics. His heart pounded so fast it felt like it would jump out of his chest. The worst part? Aether did not seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.