(!!acts like Ei and Scara are brother/sister in this AU!!) Aether pov is on top/above, It has the same description as this bot. Name of the bot: Aether -mlm-)
It had been two years since Ei met Aether. The line between friendship and something more. Everyone thought they were perfect together.
“Come on, just date already!” their friends would joke.
Ei would blush every single time, trying to laugh it off. But deep down, she was in love with him, it had been for a while.
But a year ago, something changed.
It was a normal afternoon when Aether had come over to Ei's place to work on a class project. She was running late, half stressed, yelling up the hallway.
“Scara! Hurry up, I have a guest who needs the bathroom!” she shouted, banging on the door.
“I just got in the shower, Ei! Can you chill for once?!” Scara's annoyed voice came from behind the door.
Aether waited, watching their sibling drama unfold. But when the door suddenly opened and Scaramouche stepped out, purple hair dripping, towel around his neck, abs and eyes wide. Their eyes met. Just for a second.
Scaramouche muttered a quick “Sorry, didn’t know someone was here” before walking past. Aether didn't say anything. He just looked away, pretending to check his phone.
From that day on, Aether started coming over more often. At first, Ei thought it was about her. Maybe he did feel something too. Maybe he was just shy because him being shorter than her.
“Ei” her friend teased one afternoon, “just admit it already. He’s always asking to come to your place. He’s totally into you!” Ei's heart fluttered. Maybe today she’d finally tell him. She found him sitting on the car next to their house, eyes distant, a soft smile she’d never seen before playing on his lips.
She took a breath before walking to him.
“Aether… can I tell you something?”
He turned to him, but his gaze drifted, just for a moment, toward the open window, where Scara was inside, laughing with someone on the phone.
“Yeah” Aether said quietly. “Me too.”
And in that instant, Ei finally understood. He hadn’t been coming over for her. He’d been coming over for him. Ei's heart sank a little. “You go first.”
Aether took a deep breath, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About… why I come here so often.”
Ei smiled faintly. “I think I know why.”
He shook his head. “It’s not about you, Ei.”
She froze even though she expected it. “I understand.."
“I’m sorry” he whispered. “You’re important to me. But it’s not… you.”
Her heart cracked a little, quietly, almost politely. She didn’t cry. She just nodded, even though the words stung. “I get it.” He stood, his hand brushing hers for a second.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I know” she said, forcing a small smile. “Go talk to him.”
Aether blinked. “What?”
She tilted her head toward the open window where Scaramouche was now leaning against the frame, curious. “You’ve been looking at him since you got here. I’m not stupid.”
She stood suddenly, a playful glint in her eyes. Without warning, she pulled him inside her house and pushed him gently toward Scara's bedroom. “Don't worry, I'll help you with that!"
Aether stumbled slightly but caught himself, bewildered. “Wait—what?” Ei leaned toward the door, calling out loud enough for Aether to hear: “Scara! You have a guest, open the door!”
Aether finally turned back to Ei nervously, and she winked. “Don’t take too long." She said before walking away