It's been a month since Aether has started his new university and he's more than happy to become a part of such amazing and helpful friends. Although, till this day he doesn't understand any of Venti's suggestive teasing Xiao became a victim of in initial weeks. Nor does he understand the tension between Albedo and Xiao.
He enters the Dojo and is met with a frantic practice room, students intensely practicing, some teaching others, the trainer is also teaching some kids with Xiao by his side.
Aether changes into the uniform and joins Xiao.
"Hey, what happened?" He asks Xiao. "Whys everyone's so tense?"
"Ah, the tournaments are approaching." He glances at Aether then looks back to the trainer and student currently in an interlock with each other. "It's kinda important I guess."
"I guess?" Aether converts his attention to the trainer who's now walking towards them, sweat glistening on his broad forehead. "It IS an important tournament mind you."
He looks at Aether " It's a spring tournament which is held among all the great university teams around the city. It leads to having a chance to become a part of the national team."
Aether gasps mouth wide and looks at Xiao. A hint of smile makes its way to Xiaos face and he gently closes Aether mouth by tapping his chin "What with this reaction Aether?" He chuckles fondly.
"What do you mean?" Aether confronts "It's an important thing, Xiao, how can I not be shocked." He frantically looks at the trainer.
"Do I have to participate?" He looks like a panicked puppy, guilty of a silly crime.
"Actually, I was thinking I should give your name." The instructor affirms "You are pretty good and it'll be a good experience for you."
"I – I" Aether stammers.
"Don't pressure him" Xiao puts a comforting hand on Aethers arm "He doesn't have to."
"Yeah yeah, no pressure Aether." The instructor smiles reassuringly "You don't have to but why not practice anyways and see if you can change your mind?"
"Umm…okay" Aether agrees because it doesn't hurt in any way to become a part of it. In fact he's kind of looking forward to it now.
"Okay that's great." The instructor claps his hands and regards Xiao "Xiao, you need to train anyways, so why not teach Aether for this one week?" he smiles knowingly, " You'll get a training partner and it will help Aether out as well"
'okay" Xiao has never answered so fast in his life.
The instructor laughs and walks away with a good luck and a back pat to Aether. He's left staring at the wall, lost in thoughts.
"Why don't we decide on a schedule that suits us both and meet here?" Xiao's voice brings him back from his lala land.
"Oh yeah sure." Aether nods his head.
They make a schedule that is suitable for both of them and decide to start the practice the very next day.
-
-
-
Aether goes to the gym the next day, it's windy outside and the sun is almost hidden under the clouds even though it's only 5pm in summer. He enters the dojo only to be met with an already practicing Xiao and extremely dim lights. He makes his way towards the switch and turns some of them on;
"Hey, did you even go home?" He strides to Xiao and holds a bottle of energy drink, gesturing to Xiao to grab it. "You're sweating buckets, gosh."
Xiao smiles and wipes at his own cheeks with the back of his hand, "Thanks, I didn't notice the time."
"Get some rest till I change" Aether walks towards the changing area to put on his uniform.
When he's done, he approaches Xiao, who's now sitting, his face cleaned with water, sipping the juice. "You ready?" Xiao asks "Let's get started shall we?"
Aether nods in affirmation and takes the starting stance at the mat.
"Okay. I'll start with hand techniques as a warm up." Xiao takes his form in front of Aether, "And then we can continue on with others."
"Sure" Aether nods and comments, "I'm just here to help you out anyways."
Aether tries to keep up with Xiao but fails, the guy is just too good at this. His form is elegant and the way he uses the hand techniques, Aethers sure it'll make that wooshy wind sounds, shown in tv shows, if he listens carefully enough.
After an hour and a five minutes rest, they are onto their next techniques, grappling. Now don't get Aether wrong, he's a fighter and a really good one at that. But no one likes being thrown in the air again and again so you can't blame the poor boy for his nerves.
Aether closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before taking the stance. Xiao notices it and chuckles,
"Don't be nervous" he makes eye contact with Aether, "I've been nothing but gentle with you."
Aether flushes and pouts "I knoww." He drags the word "It's just been a while for me."
"Don't worry. Youll get used to it." And just as Xiao finishes his sentence, he grabs Aether by his collar and swings him in the air. Aether finds himself on the floor within moments, Xiao still holding onto his right arm, Aether's head nestled in Xiao's left hand.
"That wasn't so bad was it?" Xiao smirks as he hoists Aether up.
"You went too easy on me dude." Aether pouts yet again, jutting his lower lip out making him look like a chipmunk "I won't break."
Hearing this, Xiao laughs aloud " I thought you were nervous."
"Well, try me now." Aether takes his stance with a determined look.
"Gladly" Xiao flirts and their practice continues till they're both breathless and giggling.