Days at Teyvat University || Modern AU Xiao x Reader

Ch 5. Training Day

You took a deep breath, finding yourself fiddling with the sleeves of your top. Although you knew the whole situation would essentially be stress free, given the fact there wasn't pressure of having to serve customers, you couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. What if you weren't up to the task? What if you broke something and Albedo or Sucrose got blamed for it? You shook your head, ridding the doubts bubbling up in your head. Psyching yourself up you stepped forward, opening the door of Blossoms & Alchemy. A bell above the door tinkled, sounding much louder in the empty cafe compared to yesterday. Albedo came out from the back, giving you a warm smile.

"Y/n, you're early."

"Yeah sorry, didn't want to risk being late."

"That's alright. Do you mind taking a seat? I need to prepare a few more things before we get started." Albedo gestured towards the nearest table, and you obliged, pulling out the chair and taking a seat. Once settled in, he gave you a slight nod before turning back the way he came.

~~

You had been on your phone aimlessly scrolling when you heard the door open, accompanied by the tinkling of the bell. You turned around, encountering the last person you would've expected.

"Sorry, Blossoms & Alchemy isn't open today." You tried to keep your voice calm and even, but inside you were screaming internally as you could feel yourself becoming flustered.

"I know. I'm here for training." Xiao explained nonchalantly, looking around. Your eyes widened. He would be working here? With you?!? The anxieties you had coming in today increased by tenfold as you felt yourself become hyper aware of everything. Was your hair okay? How about your clothes? Oh Archons. What is Xiao going to think when he sees you fumbling around and making a fool of yourself?

You felt yourself sinking further and further into your thoughts when you felt a hand on your shoulder, snapping you out of it. You looked up, meeting Xiao's gaze. The composed expression he came into the cafe with was now tinted with concern, a slight dip in his eyebrows.

"You okay?" He asked, dropping his hand from your shoulder. You nodded, looking down at your shoes. The place where Xiao had placed his hand was still warm from his touch, and you found yourself feeling shy.

"Ah, our second new employee is here." You and Xiao looked up as Albedo called out, walking towards the two of you. "I take it you two are already acquainted?"

"We have a class together." You replied, to which Xiao nodded in agreement.

"Excellent. The better the chemistry, the more smoothly it will go when you two start working together." Albedo said, making eye contact with you as he emphasized the word "chemistry." You scrunch your nose at your friend, to which he so conveniently ignored by turning around, motioning you and Xiao to follow. "Let's get you both in uniform before we begin."

~~

You looked at the mirror in the bathroom, tugging here and there at your outfit. The uniform looked great on Sucrose and Albedo, but wearing it yourself made you feel like you were playing dress up. The uniform was fairly simple: a cream colored short-sleeved button up paired with a warm brown apron and fitted black slacks. You had had your hair up in a brown ribbon that Albedo gave you to pull the look altogether. You huffed, blowing some stray hairs on your hair into the air, leaning in to stare intently into the mirror. A soft knock made you jump, pulling back from your reflection.

"Y/n? Are you done?" Sucrose was muffled as she spoke through the door.

"U-uh yeah, be out in a sec!" You stuttered, giving yourself a final look over before opening the door. Xiao had already finished, and at the sound of the knob turning and door swinging open they turned around, eyes on you. Sucrose, who was closest to you, gasped.

"You look so cute!" She exclaimed as the two of you walked out towards the middle of the cafe where Albedo and Xiao were.

"Your hair looks good when it's up." Albedo said, smiling as he gestured towards his own head.

"Thanks..." You looked down shyly, arms clasped together in front of you. You didn't expect to receive so many compliments, and it started to make you feel bashful. You sneaked a peek at Xiao, only to find yourself blushing even more. He was wearing the same uniform as you, but looked extremely attractive, and you found yourself entranced. While you had tied your hair up, he was donning a brown beret that neatly swooped his black and teal strands to the side to frame his face. He had his long sleeves of his shirt folded up to his elbows, revealing slender yet toned forearms, veins (A/N: I'm sorry I may have a small thing for arm veins-) slightly raised.

You giggled as he turned around stiffly, very obviously not used to the restriction the apron had on his legs. Your laughter caught his attention, and he looked straight at you. You quickly clamped your hands over your mouth, trying to muffle it. But he didn't look away, his golden orbs eyeing you up and down. You squirmed under his gaze, eyes darting everywhere but at him.

"Sucrose and I are gonna get some things prepared before we get started. We'll call you over once we're ready." Albedo says as he and Sucrose walk past you to make their way to the back. Your eyes followed them before returning to look at the ground where Xiao stood. Rocking back and forth on your feet, your mind scrambled to find something to say.

"Isn't this place really pretty?" You asked. Xiao nodded, taking a moment to look up and survey the infrastructure before looking at you again wordlessly. You bit your lip. So much for starting a conversation.

"It suits you." You heard him say quietly.

"Sorry?"

"The uniform."

"Oh!" You look down at yourself, brushing the imaginary dust off your new apron. "Thank you. Although, I think it looks much better on you." Xiao didn't respond, instead took a couple steps towards you. You felt yourself shrink back as he stopped right in front of you. "Um... Xiao?"

"You should have more confidence. Sucrose and Albedo complimented you too."

"Yes but-"

"Y/n! Xiao! We're ready!" You heard Sucrose call out.

"Coming!" You turned your back on Xiao and exclaimed back, hoping to put some distance between the two of you. Before you could escape Xiao put a hand on your shoulder, immobilizing you. You felt chills run down your spine as he bent down close to your ear.

"No buts."

"Huh?" You turned your head towards Xiao, whose face was mere centimeters away, his eyes almost unrealistically clear. You pressed your lips together. How could someone look so ethereal yet so intimidating?

"I'm not one to lie, much less compliment someone if I didn't mean it." After saying this Xiao straightened himself, releasing your shoulder from his grasp. He started making his way to the back before stopping and turning to look back at you. You looked at him questioningly. "In all honestly, I think anything would look good on you." His mouth twitched and he quickly turned back around, coughing as if clearing his throat. "I'll meet them first. I look forward to working with you, y/n." 

After he made his escape, you stood there, speechless. After a few moments you sighed, letting out a breath you didn't know you were holding in as you tried to process what had happened just now.

You could've swore he smiled at you just now.

And his cheeks reddened. 

And it just might be most adorable thing you have ever seen. 

~~

A/N: HELLO I AM BACK FROM THE DEAD AND I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING. I probably should have written a warning, but my posting of chapters will not be consistent. The first couple of chapters I had cranked out relatively quickly because I was on summer break from school. But now that the semester has started I'm drowning T^T. I will try to continue writing in my free time and post whenever I can! Again, thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!~