Gravityy

Day 2 of the tournaments went fairly well. Xiao has two matches that went as fast as the first ones. Finally, 4 contestants were selected as finalists, Xiao obviously being one of them. Today, the third day of the tournament, is the last day. A total of four matches will be held. The first two matches will determine the last runner ups while those who lost will have a match within themselves to determine the third place. The first place match will take place the last and finally, a winner will be decided.

Xiao has done amazing in the past matches, winning with little effort so the gang of friends is pretty hopeful of Xiaos victory. Like the previous days, they didn't get to meet Xiao and only saw him on the court for a match.

The first round went quite well, although it was more interesting than all the matches they have watched so far. Xiao's opponent was well trained and knowing Xiao, he must have had fun playing against him. But Xiao won and was told to rest until the last match.

Everything was going well so far and now it was finally time to name the final victor though one last match. Like all other matches, it began with Xiao and his opponent taking their places and bowing. Finally the whistle indicated the start of the match and Unlike others, this one seemed different to Aether. The opponent was almost as good as Xiao and each of the points they gained was neck on neck. Just when it felt like Xiao had the upper hand, the opponent scored and vice versa.

Just a minute was left, they were tied and just one score was needed to end the match and declare the winner. Aether was anxiously praying for Xiao to pull an ippon or something but in the last 30 seconds, what Aether witnessed horrified him.

As Xiao was about to get the upper hand in the fight, the opponent kicked him in the guts and threw him in an angel that the painful bent of Xiao's leg could be seen even by the audience. But what followed horrified the audience; the opponent started punching Xiao on his ribs while spouting profanities even when the referee tried to stop him. The guards had to be called to drag the enraged guy out and Xiao was immediately taken by medics.

"Aether…Aether, let's go get to him" Venti brought back Aether from his daze. Before anyone could speak, Ventis' phone rang.

'Yes….. yes I'm on my way." As he said this, he grabbed Aether by his wrist and started dragging him away from the seats. Albedo followed after them.

Vneti called Uber while walking and then addressed them,

"They are taking him to a nearby hospital for better treatment. As his brother, they want me to be there for him." Venti commented while making his way through the crowd. "I'm told it's nothing serious so let's not worry."

By the time he was finished, a cab pulled up and they got in to get to the hospital.

Once they reached it, Venti took them to the ward he was told of and the coach greeted them.

"They asked us to wait ten minutes till they patch him up." He commented, looking calm 'apparently, he braced himself well against the fall so he should be fine." He reassured the bunch.

The doctor came out 15 minutes later and they all were allowed in the room while the doctor discussed some stuff with the coach.

Xiao was sitting on the bed, looking outside and his leg was patched up in a cast.

"Xiao, are you okay?" Venti called out timidly, it was rare to see him so worried.

Xiao looked at them and smiled fondly with reassurance "I'm fine, the doctors just exaggerated with the cast and all."

They all went over closer to him and Aether put his hands on the bed, "How are you feeling? Do you want anything?" he furrowed his brows

"I'm fine and all I want right now is to break that guy." Xiao said darkly.

'It was really ugly of him to do this." Albedo commented, folding his arms "He probably knew he was gonna lose to you."

"Just wait and see." Venti perked up clenching his fits "I'm gonna break both his legs. How dare he touch my brother!"

There was a knock at the door and a nurse peeked in "The doctor is calling the guardian to go through some stuff."

"Ah, that would be me. I'll be right there" Venti said and made his way towards the door.

"I'll join you" Albedo said and they both were gone with a soft click of the door.

Aether was about to ask Xiao for food but a hand sneaked its way into his. He looked up and saw Xiao smiling softly at him.

"Remember I wanted to tell you something after the tournament?" He asked.

"Yeah" Aether replied, blush rising on his cheeks from the contact. God knows when he started feeling like this with Xiao.

"Well I'll tell you now because I've waited long enough" Xiao squeezed his hand and let go of it, looking at Aethers eyes for confirmation.

"Yeah, go on. I'm listening." Aether stepped closer to the bed.

"Well, I-'' Xiao started fidgeting with his hands ``Would you like to go out with me?" he squeaked out as his face turned as red as a tomato and he looked away.

Aether was taken aback by the sudden confession. Not that he didn't have any idea about Xiaos feelings, his fond smiles and lingering gazes were hard to ignore after all. Aether also started feeling different towards Xiao along the way, he doesn't know how and when it happened but he knows for sure these feelings are different from platonic love.

Xiao's confession further confirmed Aethers feeling towards him, how foolish of him to never notice his own not-so-platonic feelings towards Xiao.

"It's okay if you don't want to" Xiao's comment brought back Aether to reality, "I don't mind." Xiao said, staring at the water dispenser as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Okay" Aether smiled "I'll date you if you could stop looking at the dispenser as if you want to date that instead of me." Aether chuckled and thought how cute of him to be this bashful.

Xiao looked towards him so fast that he almost got a whiplash. =

"You." Xiao said with a shocked look on his face "You mean that?"

"Do you think I'll be joking about this?" Aether smiled fondly and took Xiao's hand "I like you too."

And before Xiao could say something, Venti and Albedo barged in causing them to let go of their hands in haste. But to no avail and both of the guys were standing on the door and staring at them.

"I told you" Albedo smiled smugly, "Now pay up."

"No, wait!" Venti said and stormed towards them "You- you guys! When did you start dating?"

Aether and Xiao's tomato faces gave way to the confirmation about them dating.

"No way!" Venti lamented "I thought you had no balls to confess Xiao? And you Aether, you are way too oblivious." Venti pointed at them accusingly.

"Uhh…" Aether blushed red "It just happened."

"Noooo" Venti exclaimed dramatically, hands on his face and fake cried "My 20 dollars"

"You guys betted on us?" Xiao looked at them disgustingly.

"Wait, how did you even know?" Aether questioned.

"How could we not know" Albedo deadpanned "Xiao was always ready to skin me alive when I touched you." He slung his arm around Aether, "Look he's doing it again"

"Why did you guys start dating?" Venti was still not over his 20 dollars, "You guys could've waited a week.", he kept fake crying.

Ventis' crying and Albedo's teasing was then interrupted by Xiaos' cell phone which bought the news of Xiao officially winning the tournament and the guy getting disqualified and was further prohibited from taking part in any kind of tournaments.

They all cheered in a mini celebration.

.

.

Xiao's injury was not serious but the doctor told him to be careful nevertheless to avoid any type of complication. He was on complete bed rest for two weeks in his dorm and everyone took care of him. But Xiao mostly looked forward to Aether fussing over him and enjoyed his company the most.

Today was no different, Aether cooked some Almond Tofu, Xiao's favorite dish, and went to his dorm to spend some time together. He knocked on the door and entered the room. Xiao was busy writing away on a notebook with his headphones on, music blaring so loud that he didn't even hear Aether enter.

Aether sneaked behind Xiao and put his palms over his eyes;

"Guess who?"

Xiao snorted and took his headphones off "My love", he replied cheekily.

Aether not expecting such a bold answer gasped and took a step back. He was frozen in place until Xiao spoke.

"What's with this reaction?' Xiao smirked knowing the answer already "Come help me up get to the bed." He looked at Aether expectedly.

Aether helped him take a seat on his bed from the study table, "Where is Xiao?" Aether commented while sitting on the bedside "What did u do to him?"

Xiao laughed out loud "You always say that when I do something like this."

"Well that's just, you know, so out of character for u" Aether motioned in the hair exasperatedly "Anyways, I bought your favorite dish.'' Aether smiled and got up to get the tofu but was stopped by Xiao's hand on his wrist.

'What-" Before Aether could finish speaking, Xiao yanked him towards the bed and trapped him within his arms.

"Wh- what are you doing." Aether stuttered as he sat on Xiaos lap awkwardly, face flushing.

"I've wanted to do this for a while" Xiao caressed Aether cheek, his eyes moving to the plump lips "Can I?"

Aether was now as red as a tomato but he nodded in affirmation and closed the distance himself.

There first kiss was nothing like in the movies or romantic novels, with fireworks in mind, butterflies in bellies or lustful gazes. It was just a sweet kiss, shared in a most casual moment but it felt so right to them.

It was just the start of their love and they didn't know what the future might bring, but they vowed to themselves to always be there for each other. Every moment spent together is precious and heartwarming. They might not be perfect and face hardships but they know that this time, they are not alone. They shall always be there for each other, like a safe haven to return to. They will always gravitate towards each other, a gravitational pull that cannot be denied.