so far so good. though things were off to a rather awkward start with both you and xiao barely talking to each other (you were trying desperately to calm your racing heartbeat, while xiao, unbeknownst to you, was doing the exact same thing). things have gone relatively smoothly since then, as smooth as your rapidly beating heart would allow anyway.
the both of you decided to play a little game of 21 questions as a means to get to know each other more thoroughly. through this, you've learned many new things about the guy currently sitting opposite of you. with those new information, came new ideas for your works.
would it be weird if you started taking notes of what he liked and didn't like? yeah, probably. thankfully you decided against it.
it was currently your turn to ask him a question. to be specific, your tenth one.
"do play any sports?" you asked out loud.
his replies were mostly short, not that you minded. you were just happy to spend time with him (even if it was for a project and not, well, an actual date. but you’ll get there… hopefully).
"really? that's so cool! which one?" though its technically against the rules to ask a follow-up question, you just couldn't help yourself. it wasn’t every day you got to learn more about xiao.
"wushu." seeing your slightly confused and curious expression, he decides to elaborate. "to put it simply, It’s... chinese martial arts," he explains, pausing as if searching for the right words. "but less about fighting and more about balance and control."
you nodded slowly, signaling that you understood. "woah sounds amazing. you must like it huh? you seem passionate about it!" you smile out of genuine adoration.
xiao froze for a moment, your adoring smile catching him completely off guard. archons, and here he thought the usual you was already distracting enough.
trying to compose himself, he cleared his throat and coughs into his hand in an attempt to hide how flustered he was getting. "...my turn,"
"why do you enjoy writing?" it took a moment to fully register what he said.
"huh?" you blinked. enjoy writing? how did xiao know that? you don't remember telling him about that little hobby of yours. If you recall correctly, you’re not exactly known for it . at least, not publicly. the only people who know about that side of you are the ones who follow you on twitter.
wait. DOES THAT MEAN XIAO IS AWARE OF YOUR TWITTER ACTIVITIES?
your eyes practically bulged out of your head. "w-writing?" you stammered, horror lacing your voice. great. not only did you stutter, but now he definitely knew you were freaking out.
xiao blinked, momentarily thrown off. realizing he slipped off, quickly collects himself. "I… saw your tweets a few times," he said, voice a little quieter now. "I read some of your works, you write really well." he stopped himself before he could say more, before the truth about how much he liked them (and you) could escape.
at a loss of words, you could only look at him. you prayed to the archons above he wouldn't notice how strangely similar some of the scenarios you wrote were to the scenes the both of you went through together.
"oh, I see... um, well, I guess writing is enjoyable because it allows me to do whatever I want..? sorry, I'm not making any sense, am I?" a low laugh escapes your lips, though unexpectedly, xiao hums thoughtfully.
you took that as a sign to continue.
"there aren't really any rules to writing, well at least not to me. it helps me understand and explore my thoughts more, if that makes sense? sometimes I feel like I have so many things jumbled in my head but once I start writing, everything slowly untangles. kind of like a string being unknotted!" you rambled off, sounding more passionate than usual.
xiao finds himself watching you closely. he likes that look in your eyes, the one you get when you talk about something you're passionated about. it makes him feel closer to you, somehow.
"I've always had trouble sorting through my thoughts," you admit, fiddling with your fingers. "so much so that I just end up stressing myself out. a friend of mine noticed and suggested I try writing anything that comes to mind and I've never been the same since! in a good way of course." you let out a giggle, eyes shining brightly.
what he didn't know was that the thing that made your friend xingqiu suggest writing in the first place was no other than him.
xiao feels something warm bloom in his chest and he thinks he might've just fallen for you all over again.
then you seem to finally realize how quiet xiao was being. "ah sorry! I didn't mean to ramble like that.. just forget it, I'm just being silly haha." your voice grows smaller and you look away, suddenly all too aware of his gaze.
xiao almost frowns at this.
"you're not being silly," he says quietly, shaking his head. "if it makes you feel at ease… then it’s worth doing." he glances at you, his expression unreadable. "you should keep doing it, it suits you." his eyes linger on you for another moment before he looks away, as if realizing he said too much.
you wonder what he meant by that.
note hi guys pls don't mind the mistakes I wrote this at 4 am <//3 gonna be a bit busy this week so forgive me for the slow updates haha...
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