Rest of the day went by in a flash. The teacher joined the boys as Aether was discharged and then they were taken to the police for further questioning and their individual statements. The case was pretty much solved with Aethers statement and there was no doubt that Milas tried seriously injuring Aether. Milas has no one to back him up either, all odds were against him.
For now, the university suspended Milas and he was under a prohibition period from the police, he was not allowed to meet or even come close to Aether till the University and police were done dealing with his sentence. This gave Aether and his friends a peace of mind, they were glad that the University and police were solving the situation timely without any further intervention.
Their classes went on normally as if nothing happened and Aether was recovering from his injury swiftly.
It had been a week since the incident took place and Aether and Kuni were walking back from the University,
"But he didn't challenge the system, Aether. He just played by the rules. If he really cared, he would've gone after the root of the problem, not just put a Band-Aid on it." Kuni commented as he kicked the stone. Like always, they were arguing over a new novel from their literature course, 'To kill a Mockingbird."
Come on, he did make a difference. He stood up in front of the whole town when no one else would. It wasn't about fixing the system right then; it was about showing that someone could do the right thing." Aether sighed, knowing quite well that they would not agree on this one.
"But he didn't challenge the system, Aether. He just played by the rules. If he really cared, he would've gone after the root of the problem, not just put a Band-Aid on it." Kuni rolled his eyes at Aether optimism over this fictional character.
Too engrossed in their debate, they noticed the shadow that had been trailing them, silent and calculated. As they passed a narrow alley, voices still low with argument, a hand shot out from the darkness.
Before Aether could even finish his next sentence, icy fingers clamped around his arm and yanked hard.
"Aether"
Kuni exclaimed but before he could react, a cold blade was already pressed against Aether's neck, the figure locking him in place.
Kuni's expression turned ice cold, his entire body locked with quiet fury. He took one slow step forward, gaze locked on the attacker.
"You really think threatening him is going to protect you?" he said quietly, dangerously calm.
"You have disappointed me Aether," the hooded figure commented, low "After leading me on like that you decided to get a boyfriend?"
"Huh?" Aether said, confused, "I don't even know you dude."
"You helped me," he breathed, voice trembling. "Don't you remember? Outside the gym. They pushed me down, and you—You told them to stop. You helped me up."
"You belong to me" he squeezed Aether tighter, "You-"
Aether slammed his heel down hard onto the attacker's foot. At the same moment, Kuni moved swiftly.
The attacker flinched, but Kuni was already there—grabbing the attacker's wrist with both hands, twisting it violently. The knife grazed Kunis hand before it clattered to the ground as Kuni shoved him back against the alley wall with brutal force.
"You're mine you're mine you're mine" the attacker screamed full of rage, his hoodie fell revealing his ragged face.
"Milas," Aether whispered, recognizing the face.
"If I can't have you then no one can. I will kill you Aether." he kept on going, still struggling in Kunis' steel grip.
"Wow look at this fucker." Kuni cut in coldly "Pathetic little parasite."
"No," Miles interrupted, with a crazed look in his eyes he addressed Aether, "You love me, you-you smiled at me Aether please."
This earned a snort from Kuni "Right, right. The classic 'he smiled at me so now we're soulmates' delusion." Kuni shoved him harder, letting Milas feel just how little patience he had.
The sound of sirens neared. Kuni didn't let go.
"You should pray they get here before I break every bone in your miserable little body."
Sonn, the alley lit up with red and blue flickering lights as the cops approached them and took over the situation, Kuni lets go of Miles but he tries lunging towards Aether once again in a failed attempt to get his attention.
"Aether, Aether, I LOVE YOU," He screamed at the top of his lungs "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I WILL DIE WITHOUT YOU."
Kuni protectively stands before Aether as the police drag the deranged Miles away, the officers take their statements then and there instead of taking them again to the police.
The police offered them a ride to Aethers home which they did not refuse as Aether looked quite a bit shaken up.
"Do you think I led him on?" Aether softly murmured as they entered the apartment.
Hearing this Kuni spun around to face Aether "Don't be silly," he held his face gently "You did nothing wrong." He said with finality "Some people are just delusional."
"I guess you're right."
"I am right," Kuni chuckled as Aether led him towards the couch.
"Now lets see," Aether gently held Kunis hand inspecting the little knife graze, "Does it hurt?"
"Not at all," he smiles reassuringly at Aether, smoothing the furrow between Aether's brows.
Aether gently leans in without a word and gently kisses the injury before blowing on in and whisper-singing "pain pain go away.'
This earns him a hearty laugh from Kuni, unfiltered and music to his ears. Aether pouted, fishing around in his backpack until he pulled out a purple bunny bandage, peeling it open with dramatic flair. This earns him another round of laughter from Kuni.
"Why are you laughing?' Aether pouts and helps Kuni with the bandaging. "After all the trouble I went through to kiss the pain away"
I'm just really happy I get to call someone this cute of mine, Kuni thought to himself and grinned cheekily at Aether which earned him an eyeroll. But a small frown graced Aether's face after he was done.
"Aether." Kuni addressed him as Aether made his way to the kitchen. He opened up the cabinet and grabbed two strawberry shaped glasses.
"Mhm?" Aether asked distractedly, opening the fridge and looking through the options of juice available. He ran his fingers over Orange, Pineapple and Peach and decided to grab his favourite, peach. He carefully poured the juice in the glasses while waiting for Kuni to continue speaking.
"It really was not your fault." Kuni was looking at him, his face filled with genuine concern but a certainty of his comment. Aether hand faltered as he poured the drinks but he resumed, pretending to look fine when he was anything but that at the moment. Kuni got up from where he was sitting and made his way towards Aether, his footsteps felt loud in the silence. Now both of them were standing beside Kitchen counter where it peeked into the living room.
"Mhm, I know." Aether finished pouring the drinks and handed Kunis his, "You've told me already." He smiled at Kuni trying to reassure him but his eyes gave away the turmoil inside him.
"Yes I have" Kuni gently takes the glass from Aethers hand and put it aside on the counter, the glass settles on the counter with a light clink as Kuni gently brushes Aethers bangs out of his eyes, his fingers rest at the corner of Aether's eyes.
"But you don't seem to believe me." a soft, bitter laugh escaped Kuni—more sorrow than humor behind it. "Why are you so harsh on yourself while being so kind to others? Spare some of that for yourself."
Kuni really had a way with words, whether he was arguing with Aether over some literary work or just navigating through situations in life, he always seemed to make sense. Aether cannot believe that the same Kuni who used to argue with him in every single literature class and was always getting on his nerves is now standing right before him. His gaze full of love and his touch so gentle it could calm a storm inside of him, how can he not fall for this beautiful man with his heart bared only for him?
"Can I get a hug?" Aether laughed, just barely—a broken sound that faded too fast. Kuni didn't wait a second and embraced him, gentle and slow, as if he would disappear if he moved too fast or harshly. Aether returned the hug, holding Kuni tightly, his face buried in Kunis shoulder and he clenched the fabric of his shirt tightly at the back, as if grounding himself in that moment. He took a deep breath before whispering,
"I think I am falling for you." his voice muffled and he hugged Kuni tighter, further burying his face to escape embarrassment of what he just said.
"What did you say?" Kuni tightened his arms around Aether, his chin resting on Aether's head as he embraced him fully.
"I know you heard me." Aether muffled voice earned a little chuckle from Kuni, a small sound as to not break the peace that had befell over them.
"Thank you Aether," Kuni whispered back, gently landing a kiss on Aethers top of head over his golden locks, "Thank you for giving me a chance." He finished breathly, closing his eyes and enjoying the moment, afraid everything will melt away if he moves.
The world fell quiet, nothing but a shared silence between their burning hearts. And at this moment, nothing else mattered.
THE END