to love to be loved ( Xiao x Lumine )

Chapter 12.5 Happy Birthday Xiao <3

"What are you doing here?" A voice appears from the top of the tree.

Both of them lookup.

"Xiao!" Both Paimon and Lumine was surprised that he came a little too early.

"I don't think he meet up with the boss lady... he saw us first..." Paimon whispered to Lumine.

He hops down.

"And if you're here, why didn't you call out my name? Worried that you would trouble me?" He walked towards Lumine, squatted down and bring out his hand. He places it under her chin and tilts it up. "Anything to say? Lumine."

Paimon gasped. That was a little too bold for Xiao.
Both Lumine and Xiao pause for a moment. Xiao let go of his hand and walked away. Paimon noticed that his ears are red.

—————
Xiao's POV
__________

What am I doing... that's embarrassing. Verr Goldet... why do you teach me all this kind of stuff...

Hm... why are they here...

My birthday...? Hmph. Mortals... but how do they know? Who told them...

——

Xiao places his hands inside his pocket as he touches onto the Crystalflies he collected. I'm not sure how mortals celebrate one's birthdays... is it weird that I'm giving her something on my birthday...

——

What if she's here not because of my birthday? That's so dumb... does it matter? Why am I worried...

——————

"X—Xiao..." he turns around.

"I know it's early... but this is for you..." Lumine handed him the box.

"...hm...What is it?"

"Open it!" Said Paimon.

Xiao opened the box. To his shock, it was a huge block of almond tofu. "—!!" His face became flushed red. There are too much-mixed feelings. He was confused, content yet surprised.

"Happy Birthday Xiao." Lumine smiled at him sheepishly. "Happy Birthday Xiao!" Paimon folded Paimon's arms while nodding proudly.

He immediately places his mask on his face.

"Xiao, let us see your expression!!!" Paimon tries to take off his mask while he kept walking away with the box in his arms.

Is this how mortals feel...? It feels...nice... he smiled to himself under the mask.

After a while, Paimon got tired of trying to get rid of it. Both Xiao and Lumine then sit down back near the tree. Xiao opens the box and took a spoonful of Almond Tofu and eats it.

"How is it...?" Lumine asked.

"...it's sweeter than previous.... thank you..." Xiao tries his best to hide his emotions.

"Oh, Zhongli told me to pass you this on his behalf."

"...Hm. Mortal medicine...? It does not work on an adepti...but he has my thanks."

"By the way...I didn't have much to do today..."

"I thought you're busy!" Said Paimon.

"...hm.. So I decided I would find a Crystalfly for you—to put in your hair...I thought that it would look nice..." He looks away.

"But anyway, the next thing I knew, I had caught several more than I intended...I hope you don't mind..."

"and... I'm glad you didn't bring a large group of people... to be able to spend some time with you is enough. Don't get me wrong... I do not care about birthdays and celebrations... but Verr Goldet taught me some stuff..." He covers his mouth while still looking away. His mask then appears again on his face.

"H—here... take it." He took it out from his left pocket and gave it to Lumine while he is still looking away.

"Thank you, Xiao." Lumine giggled.

"What about Paimon?"

"you can take it too... since there's a few... but give the best one to her..." as his voice grows gradually softer.

Lumine then took it and put it on her hair.

"Xiao, what do you think?"

He slowly turns back to look at her. His mask disappears as she can see his face glow with such a pleasing expression.

He tilts his head and gave in a tender slight smile.
"...you're so...beautiful..."