to love to be loved ( Xiao x Lumine )

Chapter 14: Feed Me

As time ticks away, Lumine starts to slowly regain her composure. Xiao couldn't do much but hold on to her while she let out her tears and feelings. Xiao could recognise the bits of similarities between him and her. To be burdened by guilt or regret, losing someone or people around you and ended up being alone once again, he can relate.

Xiao wipes away her tears using his fingers as she looks back up at him.

"Are you...feeling better...?" Xiao slightly choked on his words, afraid that he might have asked the wrong question.

Lumine eyes and lips were so red and puffy. She didn't have the energy to speak which so she nodded at him.

"That's good." He patted her head.

"Would you like to stay here a little longer or—"
Lumine nodded.

"head to Wangshu Inn to eat Almond—"
Lumine nodded.

"...?" Xiao's head tilted he was confused.

Lumine then shakes her head after a short hesitation signifying that she did not want to go to Wangshu Inn.

"...I don't understand...I am not familiar with this mortal way of conversing..." he was genuinely confused.

Lumine frowns in irritation at how slow he is. She then positioned her body towards the opposite side of him just so she won't be able to look at him.

Did I do something wrong? Xiao thought.

———

It became a little too quiet. He did not even bother to tap her shoulders or comfort her even further. She gets more and more annoyed as time goes by. To her shock, she turns around to see Xiao wasn't there.

She slowly stood up and start to analyse her surroundings to see if she can find Xiao anywhere. Her mind started to wander thinking if something had happened to him or if she was in a different dimension or he just left as he probably didn't know what to do.

Therefore, she decided to walk around to see if anything strange happened. She prepares her sword in case of monsters appearing out of nowhere as she was still suspicious over what came upon her thoughts.

———

"Tsk. Stupid Xiao." Lumine mumbled.
Suddenly, she felt a gentle air that surrounds her legs. The first thing that came to mind was Xiao but just to be a little wary, she turns around almost immediately as she sweeps her very sharp sword.

"—!!"

"...Oh..."  Lumine was still irritated until she saw him standing in front of her holding a plate of Almond Tofu.

"I'm sorry...I left...
Since you didn't want to go to Wangshu Inn, I thought maybe I should bring this to you instead... but when I came back, you weren't there so I walked around finding you until I heard you call out my name."

Lumine then slowly place her sword back in place. She sighed in relief that she isn't in some kind of dimension. Also, to undo all her negative feeling as she thought that it was probably childish, especially when it is towards an Adeptus whom she respected.

Lumine then coughed as she breathes in and out deeply.

"I'm sorry too, my dear Adeptus Xiao."

"Hm?"

"...ah, never mind— anyway, you got me Almond Tofu to cheer me up huh?" Lumine walked towards him and stop. She then places both her hands at the back and bent her torso forward.

"Hmm? X-I-AO" she smirks at him.

"—!!"
"Tsk. Just take it already. If it helps me with my burdens, I'm sure it will help with yours." He turns his head to the other side to avoid looking at her. Her smile is always able to make him feel nervous in both good and bad way. It's worse than when he was with Morax.

"Why is it that, whenever I smile at you, especially up close, you turn away? Is it that appealing to you that you blushed?" she tilts her head.

"—B—Be quiet mortal!"

"Oh? Mortal? My name is Lumine, Dear Xiao."

"S—stop. Please." He looks back at her with his face all plumped red.

"Hehe. I will if you feed me."

"...tsk."

"So..?"

"...fine."

———

Both Lumine and Xiao walked up to the end of the cliff and sat down there. There shows the beautiful scenery alongside the windy weather, such a perfect combination.

"Ah~" Lumine opened her mouth.

"hmph." He took the spoon and scoop out the Almond Tofu and proceed to feed her.

"Mmph!! Sweet!"

"I'm glad you like it." He rested his cheeks on his left hand as his right-hand hold onto the plate.

She's so beautiful when she smiles. I need to protect that smile of hers. I'll protect her until the day we part.

"Yes, Xiao? Is there something on my face?"

"It's nothing. Here you go. Ah~" he feds her another spoonful of Almond Tofu.