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It was a hot sunny day in Liyue, birds were chirping and the sun was shining as bright as it has always been. You settled in at Wangshu inn the night before so you awoke to an unfamiliar room. "Traveller!! Traveller!! Are you FINALLY AWAKE? " you heard a voice calling out your name in a rather ear-shattering tone. You opened your eyes and saw Paimon floating in front of you. "You didn't have to shout at me to wake me up." you glared at Paimon.
"It's not my fault he wanted to kick us out of Wangshu inn! Oh, traveller! Please help me get rid of him! " Paimon cried. Only then do you realise there was a slender, rather short figure standing next to Paimon. "Xiao?! What on Earth are you doing here? I told Vera yesterday that we will book the room until later in the afternoon. I just want to have a good rest today." you told Xiao in a calm tone. Xiao glared down at you and you felt chills went down your spine. "Mr.Zhongli told you to meet him at Northland bank later in the afternoon, I'm just here to tell you that. Knock some sense into your pet. " Xiao said while leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
"HEY PAIMON IS NOT A PET! " Paimon fumed. In the afternoon, you met up with Zhongli and he gave you an envolope. Inside the envolope was an invitation to a business party later that night. "Thank you for being a great partner, traveller. Zhongli began. It has truly been an amazing year and Director Hu gave me the permission to send out invitations to whoever I'd like. I'm inviting you, Childe and Xiao. I hope all of you will enjoy yourselves at the party later on."
"Ahhhh! I absolutely envy how Zhongli has such a calm, gentle and cool tone!!" you thought to yourself. While your head was filled with weird fantasies, you didn't notice that Zhongli was rambling on and on about Hu Tao and Childe. Soon you snapped back to reality and idoidicaly agreed to whatever Zhongli was rambling about.
Later that night, you picked the most formal and elegant dress that you own. Xiangling agreed to pick Paimon up so that you can go to the party in peace. "Hey! Paimon also wants to go to the party!!" Paimon shrieked. "There, there. It's ok! We'll have a party of our own with lots of delicious food, made by me of course!" Xiangling boasted. Paimon happily agreed and skipped off with Xiangling, leaving you alone at home. After a few touch ups, you hurried off to the party.
"Wow! " Before you stood a luxurious building made of the finest materials in Liyue. The entrance was grand and when you entered you were greeted by many people passing by. You felt flustered seeing many eyes on you. "Ah, there you are traveller." you heard a familiar voice calling you. You turned your head and lo and behold there stood Zhongli, Childe and Xiao. "Hello traveller! Long time no see! Have you fought anyone stronger than me in the past month?" Childe teased. "Ehehe...certainly not." you lied. "Oh, well I guess I really am the strongest! To celebrate, Zhongli-xiansheng let's go try some of the food over there!" Childe laughed while grabbing Zhongli's arm and dragging him towards the tray of food on the other side of the room.
All that's left is you and Xiao, staring at each other akwardly. "Damn that ginger, getting so close to Mr. Zhongli." Xiao cursed under his breath. "Well then, let's go get some food too. Shall we?" you suggested. Xiao nodded and both of you were off to get food. "Look! There's so many delicious looking food here!!" you squeed at Xiao with stars filling your eyes. He looked at you helplessly and sighed, his jaws relaxed a little and he cracked a small smile. "You just smiled, Xiao! This is the first time in months that I have ever seen you smile!" you giggled. "W-What? No I did not. I would never... especially not in front of you." he said flabbergasted. "Oh, don't try to be in denial! I didn't catch the last part, what did you say?" you teased with a grin on your face.
Xiao's face was beet red and he was at a loss for words. He took his plate with him and dashed off. "Hey! Wait for me!" you said while running to him with your plate in your hands. "For someone short, you sure do run fast." you panted. Xiao's eyes are filled with embarrassment and frustration. He squeezed your cheeks unintentionally. "I'm not that short! I'm 5'2! (a.k.a 158cm)" he glared into your eyes so deeply as if he was looking into your soul. Xiao realised what he was doing and let your face go. "Ah, I'm sorry I didn't notice. I was just to telling you the truth." he said, embarrassed of his actions.
Meanwhile your face felt very hot and you excused yourself to the bathroom, leaving Xiao to take care of your food. You looked into the mirror in the bathroom and your face was bright red. "Calm yourself, Y/N. Why are you feeling so flustered?! He's just like any of your other comrades!" you thought to yourself. Your heart was beating so fast that you could hear it ringing in your ears. "What's this tingly feeling in my chest?" you wonder.
"I'm back!" you surprised Xiao and pretended that nothing had ever happened. "I'm sorry about just now, I wasn't in my right mind. While you were in the bathroom, I reflected on myself. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." Xiao began. "Oh, it's fine. It's completely fine! Don't beat yourself up over this." you joked. Thinking about what he just said made your heart flutter. "For Archon's sake, why is my heart so beating so fast?!" that was the question your mind kept repeating. You talked to Xiao for the rest of the night and got to know each other better.
After two weeks, it was almost Chirtmas and Xiao had invited you to spend Christmas with him. Since you didn't have any urgent matters to attend to, you wholeheartedly agreed to his invitation. On the night of Chirtmas, Xiao came to pick you up. He was wearing a rather casual grey turtleneck and he looked really good in it. You on the other hand, was wearing your favourite t-shirt and a cute mini skirt. While looking up at the stars, you thought to yourself, ah, the night is still young.
Xiao began walking and so did you. Since you didn't ask Xiao where he was bringing you, you simply just followed him around Liyue. He stopped by Wanmin restaurant to pick up some ingredients. "Do you want anything to eat?" he asked. "Oh, are we eating here tonight?" He shaked his head. " In that case can I have bubble tea?" you said, with eyes glimmered at him. Looking at you he can't help but sigh, and said "Sure."
You had your matcha bubble tea in your hands and you were off wandering the streets of Liyue again with Xiao. You walked for what seems like an hour and you finally built up the courage to ask Xiao, "Uhm, where are we going?" "To my house." he replied in a bold tone. You were speechless but didn't give much thought to it. Soon, you arrived at his house. This was the first time you had been to his house. It was an average-sized house and comfy inside.
"Sit here." he directed you to the couch and you sat there looking around his house. "You got a comfy house" you began. "Thanks, Mr. Zhongli helped me picked it." he said while preparing some food. After a few minutes, he signaled you to come to the dining table so you did. You sat there and looked at the food. "Xiao... how do you know that tianshu meat my favourite food?" your eyes lighten up. "You told me before at the party.." he said looking away. "Ah, thank you for the food! Let's dig in!" excitement filled your voice as you grabbed a spoonful and stuffed it in your mouth.
Xiao looked at you as you ate your food. He smiled at how easy it was to make you happy. " Hey, you got some food on your face." Xiao said. You questioned him as you try to find where the food on your face was. "Silly, it's here." he said as he got rid of the food that was hanging on your cheek. Your face burned up at the touch of Xiao. "Do you have a fever? Why is your face so hot?" he continued on. He put his hand on your forehead and brought his forehead closer towards yours. "Huh, it looks like you don't." he said.
Your face was flushed and you tried changing the topic instead. "H-Here! I got a Chirtmas gift for you! Go ahead and open it." you said flabbergasted. "I got you one too," Xiao said with a gentle expression. His expression calmed your heart and you both opened the gifts you bought for each other. You opened a box and there was a handwritten card, saying Merry Chirtmas. There was a cat drawing next to the words and that made you giggle. There was another box underneath the card, you opened it and it was a gorgeous, sparkly flower hairpin. You studied the details in awe. Xiao also opened the gift you got for him and it was a custom made ring.
He looked surprised and a light blush painted his face. "Look! I have one too." you smiled. You took the ring from his hands and put it on his ring finger. He looked at it and admired it. "Thank you, I will cherish this." he said. "Can I put this hairpin on you?" he asked. You nodded with a smile on your face. He then brushed your hair aside and placed the hairpin on your hair. "You look beautiful with the hairpin on." he smiled, his hand still on your head. He patted your head and said, "Hey, Y/N...I love you." he said slightly averting his eyes. Your eyes widened and you told him that you felt the same way. He pulled you in for a kiss, in response, you embraced him. That night, was the happiest night of your life.
Xiao pushed you onto the bed and you guys had a steamy night. After that, he tucked you in and kissed your forehead as you were exhausted.
The next morning, Xiao walked you home, hand in hand. Both of you were wearing matching rings thanks to your gift yesterday. You couldn't walk well thanks to Xiao last night, so he supported you home. You were greeted by Paimon at the front door. "Hey! Where have you been yesterday?! You said you would be home by 9pm, miss Y/N!" Paimon scolded. "Eheh it's a long story..." you grinned at Xiao. He averted his eyes with a slight blush. You look forward for what's to come in your love life.