MG2018 - Ximen + Xiaoyou

Part 10

Ximen had been wandering around the mall aimlessly for hours. Why was this so difficult? It was just a date. He shook his head. It wasn't just a date-- it was their first date since officially becoming a couple. It needed to be special. But his dating history was making that difficult. He had done the whole flowers-and-candy bit with so many other girls, and Xiaoyou deserved much more than something he had done before.

He walked by a jewelry store when something caught his eye. He looked at it closely and it made him smile. It reminded him of her and how just the sight of her always made him smile, so he went inside and quickly made the purchase. He walked out of the store feeling better, now that he had something that was just for her.

He pushed his way into Talent's Tea Shop and saw that all of the customers had gone. Xiaoyou had her back turned and she called out, "Sorry, we're closed!" He quietly walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She startled and whipped her head around. "Ximen! You scared me!" she bumped her shoulder against his chest before relaxing into his hug. "Hi," he said simply, kissing her cheek and hugging her tighter. He was a man of a few words, and she knew that by now. He held her in an easy silence, then he gave her a quick squeeze before letting go and grabbing the rag beside her. "I'm almost done with this," she said, and he nodded as he set off to wipe down the tables. He knew the routine by now, from the many nights he had helped her close up. She finished the accounting while he finished cleaning up, and just as he tucked the broom away in the supply closet, she closed the books and smiled at him. "So, where are we off to?" she asked brightly.

Where??? His eyes widened and he knew he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. A rush of panic was rising in his chest, and he stood there, frozen. Xiaoyou stood up and crossed the room to him, taking his hand. "Ximen? What's wrong?" she asked in concern. He opened his mouth and a stream of words just came out, "I was so caught up in finding you the right gift because I didn't want to get you flowers or candy because I'd done that with other girls before and you're not just some other girl and then I finally found you something but then I completely forgot to make reservations and I don't even know where I want to take you that I haven't taken some other girl before and--" "You got me something?" she interrupted him softly, smiling up at him gently. 

He took a deep breath and nodded, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a box and Xiaoyou looked at him in surprise. He looked down at the box and realized what it looked like. "No! It's not what you think!" he blurted out, "I mean, not that I don't-- we'll get there-- it's early-- I just--" She laughed and took the box from him. "Oh, Ximen," she breathed as she opened the box and saw the necklace inside. She lifted it out of the box, looking at the heart pendant as it hung from the delicate gold chain. "It's beautiful," she said softly, and he smiled. He took the necklace from her and leaned in to her, breathing in her scent as he fastened it around her neck. She touched it and looked up at him. "I have your heart," she said, her eyes shining at him, and he nodded. How did she always manage to know what was in his mind and heart? "It's not too flashy, is it?" he asked worriedly, and she shook her head. "I'll wear it every day, I promise," she said, standing on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the lips. Before she could pull away, Ximen pulled her close and captured her lips with his. He kissed her deeply and she let out a tiny moan of surprise before kissing him back just as passionately. He kissed her with everything he had, as though he was afraid this was all just a dream that he didn't want to wake up from. He felt her molding her body to his as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her even tighter as their kiss deepened.

Finally, they pulled apart breathlessly. Xiaoyou looked flushed, and the blush on her cheeks made her look even more beautiful. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "I think I know where I want to bring my girlfriend." His heart skipped a beat as he said the word girlfriend, then pounded in his chest at the sight of her smile. She nodded, "Then let's go." Hand-in-hand, they walked out of the tea shop and into a night they were going to remember.