Strings of Fate || Mafia AU (hiatus)

Ch. 12

After Wuxian's last period class on the day, his heart automatically started beating fast. Giddiness instantly struck him, palms got wet as he became nervous every second. 

Today, he planned to tell the older the answer he's been aching to hear from him. 

He checked his watch, any minute, Xichen would be waiting for him outside the campus. His chest is racing so much, sighs leaving his lip one after another as he can't calm his nerves. 

Is it really the right time to tell him? What if he failed to tell the older what he felt? And worst what if he rejects him because he got tired of waiting for him? 

Anxiousness just crawled up in his head, clouding his confidence. He sighs for the nth time as he closes his eyes, trying to calm down. 

But as he was calming himself, his phone beeped, and his eyes immediately landed on his phone. If his heart was already racing so bad, it doubled as he saw the person he was thinking of right at this moment on his screen, followed by a, "I'm here outside. let's get some dinner?"

An involuntary smile left his lips upon reading them. Damn, he really got spoiled by him.

And so he picked up his phone and sent a reply, "I'll be right there," before he put them inside his bag and ran off out of the building to meet with Xichen.

.

When he arrived outside the campus, there is Xichen leaning at the gate post, wearing sportswear he uses every time he fetch him from school (He still uses afternoon exercise as an excuse though Wuxian already knew about it).

"Did you just come from your afternoon run?" Wuxian asked as he approached him. 

The older nodded and reached for the younger's bag which Wuxian unknowingly let Xichen have them. "Yep, kinda refreshing being able to sweat off," he chuckles as he started walking beside the younger. 

.

They walked side by side to the place they usually eat since months ago. 

After reaching the place, they sat at their usual spot and ordered the same food they always order which became Wuxian's favorite since he started eating there.

As they wait for the food, the older spoke. "How was school?" he asked, propping his elbows on the table. 

Wuxian grins, dust of pink scattered on his face as he glances at him for a second before looking away. After realizing his feelings, he suddenly feels shy when the older's around. 

"U-uhm.. well. Nothing special happened. Lectures, I guess?" he answered sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.

The older immediately realizes the avoidance of the younger's eyes in meeting his, despite that, he chose to ignore that. 

The food was served to them after a couple of minutes and they started munching on them. 

In the middle of eating, Wuxian suddenly spoke which made Xichen stop eating and looked up at the younger. 

"Chen..." he mumbles, enough for the older to hear.

Xichen stares at him, humming as an indication that he's listening. 

Wuxian's hands are cold as he lets go of his spoon and fork to hide them below the table as he fidgets in nervousness. His eyes flickered down to his food, avoiding eye contact with Xichen. 

"...are you tired of waiting?" he suddenly asked, swallowing the anxiousness that was built upon his throat as he lets his courage overtake him.

Xichen fondly smiled, putting down his cutlery and wiping the edges of his mouth. "Of what?" he asked, he got a hunch that Wuxian meant was waiting for him to like him back but he wanted to make sure just to not misunderstood the younger.

"I mean-- Well, waiting for me? For my answer?" he asked, biting the inside of his cheeks as he waits for the other's reaction. 

Xichen chortles as he fondly watches the younger's giddy sight before he reached out for the younger, offering his palm as if insinuating to give him his hand.

The younger trails a look at Xichen's hands, hesitating if he should place his palm over his, but he gave in nonetheless. Upon reaching out his hand, Xichen immediately grabbed them to intertwine. 

"I never stopped waiting..." he mumbles, voice gentle to the younger's ears. 

Wuxian's head immediately snapped up upon hearing his words, his heart racing rapidly. Now he's conscious if the older can feel his hand getting all sweaty.

"Like I always remind you, I like you and I'm willing to wait until you decide, hm?" he reassures, kissing his knuckles.

Wuxian's cheeks flared red, his heart beating too much that he thinks it might leave his chest any second. "... I think you don't need to wait anymore," he utters, a little proud of himself that he did not stutter despite being nervous.

Xichen's head tilted, confusion on his face, what does he mean? Is he making him stop? He won't let that happen if that's what the younger's decision is. 

"Why?" he asked, voice sounding hurt as he grips a little too strong on the younger's hand, though it was not that painful for Wuxian.

Wuxian looks away, biting his lower lip in contemplation before facing back the older. "I've thought about it..." he trails off, "...I like you..." he confesses, biting his lower lip once again as he waits for the older's answer. Hoping Xichen doesn't find him annoying for confessing out of the blue and not in a special way. 

There was silence between them for a second, his heart can't calm because of anxiousness, and his head was being filled with what-ifs in that span of a few seconds. The second feels like a decade as he waits, 

He only came back from reality when Xichen spoke, "Look at me," he commanded which the younger obliged in an instant.

"There, you finally looked at me in the eye," he added, rubbing the younger's hand with his thumb. "You know how much I've waited for this day," he confesses.

"I'll ask you to make everything clear..." he paused, placing a peck on his knuckles as he stares at the younger. "...Can you be my boyfriend?" he asked, grinning wide. 

The younger nods continuously,  "yes! I can be your boyfriend!" he declares which made the younger instantly leave his seat and stood to hug Wuxian. 

They shared a warm embrace that last for a minute of two before they let go of each other. 

"Finally!" The older whisper-yelled. Too happy to finally have Wuxian's yes. 

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A/N: Bwahahaha the drama is yet to start. I hope you like the update! This will be a bumpy ride, so might as well hold properly!