Aru Shah fanfic and stuff

June pt II

Aru's POV:

A misty rain began to fall on the dark street, brightened only by the lonely streetlights. A car was parked across from the Museum in front of a house with neat bushes and lit windows that cast a golden glow on the pavement.

The day had been a tiring one. After a long wedding reception, where one too many relatives had drank too much, Malini had invited Krithika and Aru to stop by for ice cream before they went home, and of course they couldn't resist.

So there Aru was, sitting on the Acharya's couch with her mom, half an hour into a bowl of s'mores ice cream. Her eyelids were drooping as the women chattered on, so she took another bite. Aiden had gone upstairs to shower, but that had been twenty minutes ago.

And he had said he would be right back.

Well.

Aru looked around. She had been in the Acharya's house plenty of times, but when you're bored, you tend to take more notice of your surroundings. Or stare disparagingly at the ceiling and wail in anguish... but something told Aru that that would not be very polite.

The furniture was all a polished walnut wood, matching well with the beige walls and dark trimming. A large, ancient-looking map hung above the sofa, lamps lit the space, making it feel homey and warm, and the air was full of spices.

Turning her attention back to the women, Aru sighed silently. Her apartment was only across the street, she could always leave and go to bed, but then she would have to walk home alone in the dark, and besides, it would be rude. 

Aru glared down at her heels, wishing she could take them off. Yawning, she set her bowl down on the coffee table and leaned against the arm of the couch, resting her head in the crook of her elbow. She blew a lock of curled hair out of her eyes, then before she knew it, she was fast asleep. 

Aiden's POV:

Running his hand through his now wet hair, Aiden lumbered down the stairs, hoping he hadn't taken too long. He exhaled in relief when he heard the women still talking in the adjacent room. Maybe he and Aru could hang out for a little longer. He walked into the parlor.

"Hey, sorry I took so lo-"

Aiden stopped, and Krithika and Malini paused in their conversation to look over at where Aru had fallen asleep, then to Aiden who was standing in the doorway. Knowing smiles spread on their faces. 

"Oh! Poor thing," Krithika sighed. "It's been a long day for her. We're out late a lot, and I'm ashamed to say that this happens more often than I'd like it to."

"That's alright. Was I gone very long?"

"Long enough, apparently. She must have been exhausted." Said Malini with a smile. She glanced at her friend, then back at Aiden. "Why don't you take her back across the street. I just started telling Ms. Shah about my cousin's study in Otherworld constellations."

"Is that alright with you, Ma'am?" Aiden asked Krithika.

"Of course. I'll be over soon."

"Okay."

Turning away, the two women continued in their conversation. Aiden faced Aru. He really didn't want to wake her up. Though the clock above the couch read 12:38 pm, there was something peaceful in her facial expression that he didn't want to break.

Taking a breath, he reached out and shook her shoulder. 

"Shah," he said softly. "Time to go home."

Her eyes fluttered open. She stared at him blearily for a second before burying her face back in her arm, shifting her body away from him. "Five more minutes." She groaned.

A smile crept onto Aiden's face. He shook her again. "Come on. You need to get up."

Aru curled up even more. "But the light fixture section-"

"At Home Depot?" Aiden asked, fighting back a laugh.

"Home Depot?" Her head lifted a little and she peered at him through her hair.

"Yep, now let's go home." He took her arm and started to help her stand.

"Okay..." She arose slowly, then started walking with him to the entry way, but not before running into the side of the couch, then trying to walk into the kitchen. Aiden grabbed her arm and led the girl through the house and out the front door.

The fresh air must have woken Aru up because she stood up straighter and made it down the porch steps just fine. She yawned.

"Wedding are so exhausting." She sighed.

He bumped her with his shoulder. "Clearly."

"Hey!" She frowned through a smile. Her eyes flashed, traveling back to the road ahead of them, and Aiden tried not to notice the warm glow reflecting in their depths.

"Today was fun, though." He said as they strolled across the street.

"Yeah." Said Aru. "I'm glad you showed up, Wifey."

He smiled despite the nickname.

"Me too," Aiden said, then paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I kind of forgot what it's like to just hang out one on one."

Aru nodded. She carefully ascended the stairs to the museum, using the railing just in case her heels decided to betray her.

They reached the door. Aru took out her key to unlock it, but paused before going into the museum. 

"I just remembered," she said. "that today is the day we met, two years ago I mean."

"Really? The day you told me you know where I live?"

"Hey, hey, we don't have to talk about that." Aru said, blushing a little. 

Aiden laughed. "I'm glad you know where I live."

Aru smirked. "Me too, Wifey."

Then, as quick as if it had never happened, she darted forward and kissed his smiling cheek, then disappeared through the door.

BONUS: the next week

"...And I think we should do it again sometime."

Aru's eyes widened, and she looked at him like someone who can't tell if you're being serious or not.

"Y-you mean a-"

Heat rushed to his cheeks. "I mean, you can see it any way you want, it can be like a date or it can just be some nice friendly platonic... bonding... time....?"

Aru was silent.

"I-Imeanwereallydon'thavetoifyoudon'twanttoit'stotallyfine-"

"No!" Aru blurted.

"No?" He repeated.

"I mean- yes!" 

"Yes or no?"

Aru took a deep breath. "That sounds great, Aiden. I'd love to."

"Really?"

"On one condition." 

He didn't like the glimmer in her eye.

"We wear pink."

Aiden had to keep himself from face palming.