"Over here." Aether waves from the end of the hallway. Venti's birthday party is being held in his castle-like house, who knew this stoned guy would be so rich. The party is a booze birthday party, typical drunk Venti and his antics.
Kuni approaches Aether through the crowd, the house looks like a club more than a home. Kuni is sporting a Navy blue body fitting high neck with an oversized black Jacket over it, various chains hanging over his jeans. His straight hair is partially obscuring his eyes lined with soft black eyeshadow and a pair of small silver hoop earrings dangle from his earlobes. His black chunky loafers clank heavily as he makes his way towards Aether
From a distance he can see the glow of blonde hair put up in a high ponytail, he loves it when Aether puts his hair up. As he approaches Aether, he feels his heart fluttering. Aether is wearing a black and white fluffy sweater with blue jeans, multiple earrings adoring his ear. His eyes looked sharp due to red eyeshadow and liner. His look is tidy and complete with simple white Fila's. To Kuni, he looks so mesmerizingly soft that he wants to hug him tightly.
"Hey, took you long enough." Aether said as he approached him with a sweet smile.
"This Venti guy is crazy for holding his birthday party like this," Kuni crossed his arms over his chest, "And I am crazy for coming here for you."
"Aww you came for me," Aether cooed and grabbed his wrist, taking him towards Venti and Xiao.
"Eyyy the emo boy is here," Venti hooted in his drunken state, leaning on Xiao.
"Here," Kuni handed Venti a gift bag filled with goodies that helps in sobering or getting over hangovers.
"Awww you got me a gwift?" Venti almost cried, "Thank youuuuu"
He jumped up and tried to hug Kuni
"Ugh get away," Kuni side-stepped and let Venti fall.
"Such a meaniee," Venti pouted and tried getting up to fall yet again. Xiao helped him up and said, "Aether, can you get me some water? Or you look after Venti so I can go get some."
"Hmm can't you handle your boyf-"
"I'll go get it." Aether grabbed Kunis hand and dragged him to the kitchen.
"I swear you need a filter," Aether grumbles as he grabs two bottles from the fridge.
"And you need to get rid of yours."
"You wanna dance with me after we give them their water?" Aether suddenly suggests, ignoring his words and Kuni sputters to get a meek "sure" out making sure to sound annoyed while he was clearly ecstatic. The journey from kitchen to giving Xiao water to the dining hall felt long, the dining hall was filled with bodies mixing together, some drunk and some just having a good time with friends.
Aether stood before him and grinned, slowly moving from side to side to get Kuni started with him. Kuni felt his hands sweating but he acted unbothered and matched Aether's rhythm. They both were completely sober so everything felt too real, Aether too close to him, their breaths mingling.
"You want to try something instead of just moving like this?" Aether held Kunis' hands and brought it to his waist. "You might not know but I am a pretty good dancer."
"Yeah I saw that." Kuni replied, feeling Aethers waist in his hand, he fits perfectly, like he belongs here, in Kuni's hands.
"Ehhhh? When?"
"You danced like crazy at the nightclub last time."
"Ohh yeah I forgot about that. Damn we don't talk about that night."
"Are you okay now?"
"What do you mean? Of course I am okay." Aether chuckled, leading Kuni to change their rhythm, Kuni easily following his lead.
"No, I meant, all this awkward situation with Xiao and Venti."
"I have had enough time to get over this, I am okay now." He smiled and twirled.
"I am glad." Kuni smiled back.
"Kunikuzushi, you know you are very kind sometimes." Aether smiled genuinely at him.
"Kuni."
"Hmm?"
"Just call me Kuni."
"Sure but you changed the topic, do you think I didn't notice this?"
"Shut up and just dance dweeb." Kuni got bold and pulled Aether closer to him, their faces inches apart. It didn't seem to faze Aether but Kuni could feel his own heartbeat in his ears.
"See see, you are doing it again." Aether held an accusatory finger at Kuni's face, poking him on the cheek, his other hand resting on Kunis shoulder. "Awww are you shy?"
"If you keep talking like this, I'm gonna shut your mouth right up."
"Ohh and how are you going to do that?" Aether teased, smiling coyly.
"Want me to show you?" Kuni challenged, looking at Aether's lips.
Aether rolled his eyes, noticing Kunis' gaze on his lips. "You think I don't know you?"
"Well, do you consent?"
"Sure, there's no way you, out of everyone, would-"
Kuni closed the distance between their lips. His lips brushed against Aether's, soft and tentative, like a butterfly's kiss, shutting him up like he promised to. He pulled away slowly, searching Aether's surprised eyes. A faint blush was on his cheeks now as well, his face told the story of not understanding what had just happened.
"That shut you up good." Kuni smirked, his eyes locked on Aethers.
"Wha-whaaatt?"
"You challenged me."
'Fuck, fuck fuck.' Kuni cursed internally. 'So much for playing hard to get. What came over him to pull this stunt. Okay play it cool, this does not bother you at all. Yep, totally normal, nothing's wrong.' he mentally prep talked to himself.
"I didn't take you as a person who would kiss anyone for a challenge!" Aether now looked around them horrified at people noticing their kiss but thankfully, everyone was either high or too busy dancing around to notice them.
Aether's words brought Kuni back from his reverie, he does not care what others think of him but he does not want Aether to think of Kuni as someone who sleeps around. To hell with playing hard to get, he does not want Aether to misunderstand him in any way.
"No, only you." he said with finality in his voice, letting go of Aether, he started getting out of the hallway to go home, he needed time to process all of this.
"What does that mean?" Aether follows behind him, trying to reach Kuni in overcrowded bodies.
"I am going home." Kuni said with finality and fastened his pace. He disappeared in the crowd, Aether calling behind him, his voice getting further away. Kuni is running away from the consequences of his action and he is well aware of it.