𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙾𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟶

Your POV

I stretched my tired muscles and allowed my heavy head to loll on one side. My body felt cold but not quite freezing. Although, it did miss the warmth that had enveloped it earlier. 

Wait a minut-

I whip my head off the creased pillow and pivot it back and forth. Xiao was gone. Despite the silliness of it, I begin to worry. What happens if he ditched us? Is he upset with me? Oh my God, what if he's hurt? I slip into my jacket and boots as I clumsily hurry out of the tent. I left my watch in my bag and never checked the time but the rising sun aids me in presuming it's around 7 or 8 am. 

Thankfully, I notice tracks leading through the freshly fallen snow. I follow them, running while the icy wind nips at my face; once hot tears, dry coolly from my cheeks to my neck. A gasp of relief escapes my chapped lips when dark jade locks come into my view. "Xiao! What are you doing..." the words melt in my mouth when he sniffs the snow. From a distance, I cover my mouth with the back of my hand and grin to stifle a laugh.

He continues seemingly unaware of my presence. I watch as he gently scoops up a handful of snow and bites into it. I take a step forward and as my shoe sinks into the white fluff, a soft crunch echoes. Xiao turns to me with a head and face coated in snow. When I come closer to him, he apparently notices me trying to hold in my giggles and quietly mumbles. "The snow was cold and thick enough to eat... so I wanted to try it"

Xiao looks like a toddler who was caught with their hand in the cookie jar, cheeks reddened from surprise and embarrassment. Instead of teasing him, I sit next to him and smile. "Back in my homeworld, I did eat snow a few times as well." Delicately, I sweep up a small ball of snow and take a bite as well. My teeth ache from the sudden coldness and so does the roof of my mouth but I ignore both.

He watches me quietly until I get an idea. Forming another ball, I say "Although, snow is normally used for something else where I come from," 

"What is that?" He asks.

"Snowball fights!" I exclaim and toss the ball at him, aiming for his shoulder. He topples over like I just threw a bomb at him. I can't help but laugh as he sits up, stunned by the sudden impact. I continue to chuckle until a white sphere hits my forearm. 

Then I laugh even harder. Forming another snowy clump between my hands, I hear Xiao doing the same so I try to speed up. I'm lucky enough and take a shot at him before he does at me. Our snow shenanigans parade on until we become exhausted and flop down on a nearby bank of fluffy white. A petite grin and giggle part my lips as I close my eyes and lay back. 

At first, I think I'm the only one laughing but realize that Xiao is as well. I've never heard him laugh, it may be the most peculiar thing that has happened all day. He always remains nonchalant and normally speaks with a tone more laconic than a robot.

Now, he is lying next to me, laughing and smiling with me. I stop my fit of giggles to steal a glare at him while he holds a paradisal face. Unfortunately, not too soon after I pause, he does as well and looks at me confusedly. "Is something wrong Y/n?" Xiao raises an eyebrow at me.

"No! Nothing at all!" The words spill out so quickly they sound fake so I sigh and try again. "It's just... I've never seen you so happy, so... carefree" 

He stares at me and I stare back. "It's nice for a change you know-"

"Well don't get too used to it." He snaps and I prop myself up with my elbows as he walks away. I huff a bit and dust off the remaining snow from my h/c hair and clothing. "C'mon, your friend will be worried if we are gone for too long."

I nod and we walk back in awkward silence which causes me to fidget with my hands behind my back. When the gawkiness of it all becomes too irritating for me, I burst out. "What's your favourite colour?" Xiao looks at me as if I just spoke in some foreign language. 

After a small pause, he responds quietly. "White, why do you ask?"

"Why is white your favourite colour?" I counter, ignoring his own question. He sighs and explains. "White reminds me of several things, mainly purity though. Something I seek and admire profoundly. It is also the colour of snow."

"And almond tofu." I add, smirking. He glares at me and shakes his head irritably, "Yes, and I guess that as well."

"If you love snow so much, would that make winter your favourite season?" I question him thoughtfully and this time, he replies with less hesitation. "I suppose it would be." I smile "My favourite season is f/s. I think it's the prettiest no offense." I add hastily while chewing my bottom lip.

"None taken," Xiao says with a nonchalant voice. I open my mouth to ask him something else but he cuts me off. "Do you talk in your sleep?" I flinch slightly but attempt to regain my composure. "No," I stop for a second before including, "not that I'm aware of at least."

Xiao stops walking and places himself in front of me. He towers over me with both hands behind his back. Raising an eyebrow, he tilts his head at me teasingly. His tone is quiet but almost confident at the same time. 

"Pray tell Y/n, you'd never lie to me" His face is blank and all emotions, if any, are non-existent as he leans in closer. His sharpened amber eyes searching my own questioningly, he extends his question. "Would you?"