𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙾𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟾

Your POV

"A week..?" He mimics what I just said. I nod and he questions again: "And you think that you'll be fine for a week with a chef in one of the most dangerous grounds of Teyvat, Draginspine?"

"You're making it sound a lot more negative than it actually is Xiao..." I squint my eyes slightly while raising an eyebrow. "I just thought I should let you know that I won't be able to attend this week's training-"

"I'm coming with you." He cuts me off.

I nearly choke on my own breath. "Um- I don't think-"

"I wasn't asking you or requesting your approval." I watch as he crosses his arms and stares at me blankly. "I was telling you."

All I can do is blink. This certainly was not the reaction I had envisioned receiving from him. In fact, it's practically the opposite. This whole conversation has only proved even further, how badly he confuses me.

A silence blankets us and we look at each other. Xiao hastily clears his throat and places a hand to his mouth to adorn the gesture. "Well then, now that your matter of traveling has been settled, shall we continue with tonight's training..?"

I manage to nod and swallow down my half-stunned emotions. The rest of the evening goes as usual; Xiao teaches me and I try my best to mimic his instructions.

Once we arrive back at the inn, I continue with my nightly routine and then fall asleep.

The Next Morning. . .

I wake up around 6 am. Hurriedly, I find all the essential items to pack. Once I have a decent amount of clothing, my journal, a few books, necessary hygienic products, and other knick-knacks, I pull out a medium-sized backpack. Surprisingly enough, it manages to hold all my belongings while leaving a bit of room for more.

I think I have everything...

I take a seat on my ivory bed before glancing at the wooden clock. It reads 6:44 now. Xiangling should be here soon, as well as Xiao. It's peculiar to think about how I'll be spending a week with a Liyue chef and Adepti in Dragonspine. It certainly isn't something that happens every day. 

I continue on with a variety of odd thoughts until I hear a subtle knock on my door. I presume that it's Ms. Goldet and tell them to come in. The blonde female opens the wooden door ajar and begins to speak. "Good morning Y/n, your friend has already arrived. She is waiting in the kitchen for you." 

"Thank you." I grin and as per usual, she nods before leaving. 

The kitchen...? I thought she'd be waiting on the patio or by the front desk. 

I pick up my bag and quickly run through the hallway; my footsteps light in hopes of not waking anyone. I still think that I'm being loud until I walk into the kitchen and see Xiangling and Yanxiao. 

"You know how to make jewelry soup!? Have you ever tried it with sugar-coated slime condensate?! It's absolutely deliciou-" Xiangling is going through all the dishes Yanxiao has made which either lay in the fridge or on a stone counter.

"Stop touchin' all of em!" I've never seen the cook look so worried and I watch as they go back and forth with cheerful bickering that Xiangling can't pick up on. 

Standing at the door frame, I watch it amusement. I grin but nearly topple over when the midnight blue-haired girl embraces me. "Eeeeee! I'm soooooo happy to see you Y/n! We're gonna have an amazing girl's trip!!!" She squeals but my heart drops.

Girl's trip... right...

I swallow, a lump forming in my throat, Xiangling seeming so excited may be disappointed to know that there will be a guy with us.

"About that," I gently pull away from her hug but continue to hold her gaze, "my mentor didn't want me to abandon my training and was also concerned for our safety... so he's going to tag along."

I look down and wait for her remarks of agitation and disapproval but instead, she smiles brightly. "Oh! No worries! I don't mind at all Y/n!" 

"Wait really-?"

"Mhm! The more the merrier!" Xiangling sings the last part of her statement a bit before picking up her bag. I hadn't noticed it placed right by my feet. The bag looks like a duffel bag, except it's red and covered in pins and designs; in other words, it suits Xiangling completely.

"Ok then," I hop up the steps and so does my companion. I turn to her and explain what I have to do next. "So, this guy is" I tilt my head for a second, "interesting, to say the least. In order for us to travel with him, I'll need a minute."

She nods and I smile back at her, thanking her. Going to my room, I can't help but feel second-hand embarrassment from this. I don't know how to "call" for Xiao exactly and I've never tried. 

I guess there's a first for everything though.

I run to the balcony and place both my hands on the railing. I take a small breath and quietly speak. "Xiao? If you can hear me, I need you to please come to me-" 

The usual gusty breeze cuts off my sentence causing me to turn around. Xiao looks frightened and hesitant as he stumbles towards me. His hand reaches out but quickly retracts and is placed on his neck. "Um- are you fine Y/n? Is everything good?"

"Yes..." I answer slowly before a grin dances upon my lips. I suddenly realize the reason for his actions. "Xiao, you seemed awfully worried that I might be in trouble..?" 

It's unusual to see the amber-eyed male flush but he does so. "Shut up," he mumbles and turns his head away. Instead of feeling hurt or offended, I snicker at the sudden change of events. 

Xiao's POV

God, this is embarrassing- 

I clench my fists, praying for the heat blooming across my face and ears to leave. Y/n looks like she's trying her best not to burst into laughter. She chews on her bottom lip before sparing me. "At least I know that you care about me," Y/n says merrily. She skips to the doorframe of the hotel room and cocks her head at me, "Come on, this way Mr. Softy" the h/c girl teases.

Once she's out of an earshot, I mumble, "I do care about you Y/n, I care about you more than you'll ever realize."

A/N: I am so fricking sorry that this chapter is so late XD