#xiao.love

[odetolove]

xiao nods, walking into the room after you, setting his bag down on the free side you left him. he watched you for a moment, only averting his gaze when he saw a glimpse of what he assumed were panties in your bag. fuck.

it’s okay. i don’t mind it if it’s you.

he unzips his bag, opening one of the drawers in the dresser,

i’m gonna take the left side, okay? you can have the closet if you need it.

he glances back, beginning to stuff his clothes into some of the drawers. he mostly packed warm clothes, since you were in a cabin in the mountains. he assumed the group would go skiing or snowboarding at least once, so he also packed in preparation for that.

also, i think ningguangs going to make dinner sometime soon.

was it hot in there? or was it just him? it was probably just the nerves, since he’ll be rooming with you for a week. what could go wrong.

xiao

i try not let his words hit me that hard, looking at him and smiling- grabbing what i need before heading into the shower, knowing this side of him was reserved for those closest but wondering if he was this soft around our group of friends too.

oh, i can’t wait for dinner- especially if ningguangs making it!

having grabbed my things- i make my way to the shower, happy that at least our room at that, more privacy for just the two of us; it made me hopeful that we would be together more.

i’m going to shower beforehand, don’t leave without me okay?

i ask, giving him a pout before turning around- wanting to get the chill of outside off with a hot shower. hoping i could curb the want i had for him before plunging head first into sharing a space.

[odetolove]

xiao leans into the back of the loveseat, his free hand settling on his thigh. he didn’t really pay attention to what hu tao was doing, too preoccupied with his thoughts. you were going to be the death of him, he was sure.

it was fine.

he thought about talking about the living arrangements you’d decided on, but he didn’t want to overshare. he doesn’t want to make you uncomfortable with how he sits, so he leaves a little room between the two of you, not sure if he should let go of your hand now. he glances over your way, looking back to the other group. he felt embarrassed for some reason, with all the attention on the two of you.

xiao

i don’t notice my hand in his immediately, looking back at zhongli and nodding in agreement. even with the space he puts in between us i worm closer, using the excuse of the weather- whispering a small ‘im cold.’ before once again pressing my head to his shoulder, uncaring about the looks of knowing i get thrown our way.

yeah- the rooms cozy, what about you and childe? how are you two settling in?

i question, purposely wanting the attention to shift, only comfortable with the stares for so long- i wanted him to myself, displaying any sort of affection openly was only done because i allowed it for a short period of him, not wanting him uncomfortable either.

smiling when the subject changes- hu tao immediately catching on she barks out a laugh. when everyone’s jeers switch subjects i look over at him, giving him a smile; the drag of traveling finally catching up to me i yawn.

i know childe’s excited as all hell having zhongli to himself!

she cheers, nearly tipping over into yanfei’s lap- a blush already crawling up zhongli’s neck- the only thing apparent on his otherwise disinterested face against the teasing.

[odetolove]

i can wait. let’s go.

xiao wraps an arm around your shoulders, guiding you out of the kitchen and into the living room, where childe, zhongli, hu tao, and yanfei were. he might now show it, but he did appreciate the small jestures you made to take care of him. words weren’t really his strong suit, he had never really been able to express genuine emotions to anyone, so he was always seen as ungrateful whenever someone did something for him without them pointing out his lack of emotion.

he was trying to be different with you, since you were always doing small acts of kindness for him. he still didn’t want to try actually saying his thanks, so he tried to let you know he appreciated it with his actions instead.

xiao

i smile big when he wraps his arms around my shoulders- contently leaning in to him, keeping my smile until we step into the living room, watching the chaos of everyone being together in one room.

i wave at everyone, announcing our presence. the immediate shift of their eyes towards us is noticeable, face heating up at the banter that’s surely coming our way.

everyone made it!

i exclaim, quickly finding xiaos hand and tugging him to a free couch- a loveseat seemingly reserved for the two of us, watching the knowing giggle yanfei directs our way, digging her elbow into hu taos side, swinging her feet while she’s perched on the arm of the longer couch; sat right next to yanfei. hu tao whistles at the sight of me holding xiaos hand- knowing she’s about to say something before zhongli interrupts her.

how did you two settle into the room?

my face grows even redder- looking at xiao for an answer instead.

[odetolove]

xiao listened as you told him what happened. he’d have to ask childe about it, he was sure childe wouldn’t do anything to to alter his chances with you when he so obviously had a thing for zhongli, right? he doesn’t mind when you lean on him, he likes the warmth it gives him, but it does cause a little pang in his heart.

you both acted like a couple, but xiao still hadn’t figured out if you were like this with anyone, or just him. you were such a loving person he could never tell which of your actions were meant to be romantic or platonic. he tenses when you say the last words, fingers fiddling on his lap. how does he respond to that? is he supposed to agree? what if you meant it platonically? he sighs, a feeling of defeat washing over him.

do you still wanna go over and see what they’re doing?

xiao

i took notice at the way he fiddled with his fingers, feeling the way his shoulders tense with what i say- worried about if i crossed the line with my words i sit up, heart heavy at the way he seemed to reject the feelings i have for him. with a small smile and nod i stand up, hands buried into the fluffy pockets of my hoodie.

i wanna see how bad hu taos messing with everyone- you’re not too hungry are you? maybe we could go and find some snacks in the meantime the foods being made?

despite not knowing if he felt anything for me, the desire to care and make sure he’s doing well overrules any other feelings of hurt- knowing he would go long times without taking proper care of himself.

[odetolove]

xiao couldn’t hide the flush that crossed his face as you leaned in, a lump forming in his throat. you were so close, he could smell the faint perfume you wore. he listened to what you said, interest piquing at the fact that childe tried getting with you-lips pursing at the thought.

that’s news to me.

did he look angry? he must have, he was absolutely fuming. xiao had expressed his feelings for you to childe and zhongli before, turning to them for advice sometimes, considering they had more experience with this type of thing. he was at a loss, unsure of what to do. how did he ask about childe hitting you up without sounding obsessed? or did he confront childe about it?

what did childe say? did he make you uncomfortable about it?

xiao

it took a second to think about it, trying to recall the brief moment in where he expressed interest. still swinging my legs i looked down, the heat of embarrassment becoming apparent with what i told him.

kind of, i thought he was messing around at first- he said he wanted to take me out and show me around.

rolling my eyes at remembering his attitude i looked at xiao shyly.

but i told him i wasn’t interested- he’s not my type anyways. he’s too loud.

letting myself indulge in letting him know just a little bit of the truth i leaned against him again- cheek squished against his shoulder.

if he made me uncomfortable i know i could rely on you to straighten him out.

it wasn’t the whole truth- after telling him i was interested in xiao he had been adamant on having me confess, not knowing why it had brought him so much joy in being rejected.

i don’t really need anyone if i have you though, i think you’re enough.

[odetolove]

he watches from his spot by the island, holding back a smile as you lay your head on his shoulder once you’re back. he tenses, not really used to the public affection. it’s ironic, considering you’re the only one he’s been like this in public with. he clears his throat, not moving.

did you see what they were making?

he wants to glance over, but he decides against it. he doesn’t want to shrug you off, he likes that your head is on his shoulder, but he still feels iffy about pda. if it’s you though, he’ll put up with it.

xiao

mm it looked like braised chicken- or something with chicken in it anyways. all i really got was an eyeful of ningguangs boobs.

i mumble, swinging my feet.

do you wanna see what everyone’s else’s up to? i think i heard childe poking fun at zhongli.

perking up i turn my face towards him, leaning in close to whisper, suddenly remembering a secret. despite harboring a crush on him- all i wanted to do was be close to him, cheeks warming with the way his hair tickled my cheek as i came close.

i think he has a crush on him, which is pretty ironic considering he tried hitting me up a week ago.

i whisper, pulling away with a smile on my face, wondering exactly how those two would work out.

[odetolove]

opening the door to your shared bedroom, he glances behind him to make sure you’re following him before he’s walking down the stairs. he can hear hu tao laughing from what he assumes to be the living room. his hands are stuffed in his hoodies pocket, waiting for you to finish down the stairs before he’s moving.

i’m sure hu taos going to want to watch a horror movie after dinner, we can skip it if you’d like. i can make up an excuse.

he can only assume, since it is hu tao. he makes his way into the kitchen, taking a seat at one of the island counters. it looks like ningguang is cooking something, with the ‘help’ of beidou, who appears to be more in the way. he can’t tell what she’s making, even with further inspection from his spot.

xiao

i giggle at his offer-

yes please- i need at least two hours of winding down time after hanging out with hu tao.

knowing we both can take only so much of her. i keep close to him until we reach the kitchen, not wanting to keep all the work to ningguang. i worm my way in beside beidou, peaking over her shoulder to see exactly what’s being made but im promptly turned around, insisted on not lifting a finger.

they’re not letting me help.

pouting, sitting next to him at the kitchen island- leaning my head on his shoulder instead.

beidou wants to suck on ningguangs face in private i guess.

i say, completely directed at them- simmering in my spot next to xiao.

[odetolove]

xiao opened his mouth to say something as you pressed his hand against you, pulling it away once he realized what exactly it had been pressed against.

i’m fine.

he says, running a hand along his face once you close the door. fuck. did he make it obvious? and did you mean what you said? about not wanting to be there without him? he ran a hand through his hair, sitting down on the edge of the bed again, glancing to the smaller tent in his pants now. thank god. once you’re out of the shower, he gets up.

let’s go see what the others are doing.

xiao

i give him a nod when he responds, closing the door with a small smile- my hand immediately comes up to my face when i do, nearly dying of embarrassment thanks to the whole ordeal.

it doesn’t take much longer before i’m out- doing my best to bundle up, knowing how easy it is for me to get sick and really not wanting to pass up the opportunity of staying here with him for this long.

i nod when he speaks, shifting my weight from one leg to the other, wanting so bad to hold his hand.

i wonder what chaos has happened.