to love to be loved ( Xiao x Lumine )

Chapter 9: Amber eyes

"nnghh" Lumine stretches her body as she just woke up.

"Were you saying something Paimon?" Lumine was still half awake not sure if that was a dream or the reality.

"ah, um—well" Paimon respond nervously. Her eyes were directed back and forth from Lumine to Xiao who is sitting along the shore.

Lumine slowly stood up as she tries to gain back her stability. She turned around towards where Paimon directed her eyes at.

"no wait don't turn around yet!" Paimon exclaimed.

However, it was too late. Lumine squinted her eyes to get a clear and closer look as the sun still shines bright.

There was a boy who seems unfamiliar who is sitting along the shore. Although his skin was exposed to the sun, there was a faint color to it. Marks and visible lines can be seen from his back.
Water was dripping down his dark straight silky hair.

Lumine walked cautiously towards him.

"X—Xiao..? Is that you...?" She asked.

He looks up. His amber eyes shine beautifully at her. Being partly dressed, he was rinsing the bloodstains off his ragged sleeveless shirt.

"Oh—I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you!" Lumine felt embarrassed. Her heart beats fast. She was aware that it is Xiao but it didn't felt like him. If it was a normal boy, she would have probably reacted differently. However, confirming that it is him, she couldn't help but felt flustered.

He then grabbed her by his left hand.

"ah, I'm sorry. I forget that my hands are wet." He let go of her hands.

"you don't have to go...you can sit here if you want to." He looked away while muttering loud enough for Lumine to hear. "I mean, you can help disinfect the wounds on my back... but you don't need to if you don't—"

"—I will help." She walked closer towards him and proceed to kneel. She reached out to her inventory and went to get the necessary medications.

Paimon on the other hand helped to gather some pinecones. Lumine thought that making some Mondstadt Hash Browns for Xiao would make him gain his health back although he may not be into mortal food. but it isn't wrong to try new things right?

"you have no respect for the adepti to be cutting off my lines like that." He told her.

"My apologies Adeptus Xiao." She joked.

"Did you went to defeat the monsters while I was asleep?" She asked.

However, he didn't answer.

"...thank you." She thanked him. That might be why the route previously was rather peaceful although they had to stray away from some Hilichurls campsite, she thought.

She was finally able to see his slight teal undertones of his hair as it slowly dries up.

"I'm all done."

"Thank you." He said.

"...your shirt is all torn up. I can help you sew—"

"Tsk. Don't waste your time. I can simply get a new one."

After a brief moment of silence, Lumine broke the ice by stating "... you don't mind entering Liyue half-naked...especially as an Adepti?"

"...hm..fine." he stood up, took the shirt and hang it on a nearby tree branch.

why is he glowing?
Lumine tries to not lower her gaze below his collarbones. Ugh, this feels illegal.

"...it must have been exhausting huh..." Lumine tries to not sound awkward and nervous.

"what are you talking about" Xiao gets all defensive.

"I—oh it's nothing." Lumine felt so nervous, she's bringing all the bad topics. It is especially when she knows bits of his past.

"PAIMON IS BACK!" Paimon flew towards them.

Oh, thank the Archons for the right timing.

Lumine went to gather some sticks and began to light up the flames. She placed a bowl from her inventory and place all the ingredients inside.

"Mortal food? What? Hash browns you said? Ugh, humans, these days do not know what they are doing." He looked in disgust.

"Just eat it. It's for your health. Paimon went all the way to pick these up and Lumine cooked it herself. So eat!" Paimon folded her arms.

"Hmph. I'll be the judge of it."