Chapter Text
Click. Click. Click.
The ticking noises of the mouse resounded in the quiet office. A clock-like rhythm which allowed Lumine’s mind to delve easily into its thoughts. Her mind was buzzing with memories of the previous days, and worries plagued her mind.
She couldn’t believe one of the rare times she managed to, at last, interact with her roommate. She showed such a pitiful state with her crying sick face. How much of a mess was she?
And despite all of this, Xiao had remained calm, kind and attentive to all of her complaints. What if he has been bothered deep down? What if he had disliked it? He didn’t look extremely comfortable and now she couldn’t help thinking she might have been a little bit too pushy by being too enthusiastic. Her mood dropped slightly as she recalled how the evening proceeded.
As they were getting ready for the movie, Xiao received an urgent call and left hastily. She hadn’t been bothered by it in the slightest, his work and duty were much more important. And in his haste, he still had made sure to give her all the instructions for her medicine. Caring for her even at that moment.
But since then, she hadn’t heard from him. And as the days grew, her worries and embarrassment did as well.
“Lost in thoughts, are you? It’s rare to see you in this state. Is something on your mind?” Lumine jumped in surprise, her heart taking a leap in her stomach. A feminine voice chuckled from the door, seemingly amused. “I knocked but you didn’t respond.”
She let out a breath of relief, as her eyes landed on her colleague, Keqing.
“Personal matters. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“But it worries you enough. A boyfriend perhaps?”
Lumine’s eyes widened, with a furious blush painting her cheeks.
“Wha-what? No he isn’t!”
“So there’s a man involved.” She got caught. Lumine sent a glare warning her to not dig further, but it only made her friend more inclined to tease her in return. “Future boyfriend then.”
“Keqing… He is just my roommate, there’s nothing. Furthermore, he doesn’t strike me as the type to be interested in love life.”
“It doesn’t mean you can’t be interested.”
“And I didn’t think you would be interested in gossip about my private life. Color me surprised. And I doubt you only came here for this, did you?”
She leaned on her hand, waiting for her friend to move on to the real reason she came knocking at her door. Upon seeing the change in Lumine’s demeanor, the purple-haired woman decided not to pray any further.
“It was unusual from you, so it got me curious. Back to business then.”
The tone of Keqing’s voice shifted as this leisure time came to an end, slipping back into her diligent and professional self. “We have the confirmation from the printer: they can work with the type of paper you suggested. The marketing also agreed with the extra cost. We can proceed to the next step of the project and start the design part. We will need to clarify the deadline, but do you think you can propose something for next week?”
“I already went ahead and explored a few ideas I had in mind. Having your opinion on these would be of great help if you do not mind.”
“As efficient as always. It is hard to believe you were still bedridden a few days ago because of a strong flu.”
“I always had a faster recovery than normal, but this time there was someone that took great care of me, so it helped a lot.”
The ghost of a grin appeared on Keqing’s face, and Lumine knew instantly she had dug her own grave. She had not intended to bring up Xiao again, but perhaps he had been on her mind more than she had realized.
“That housemate again?”
“It is not what you think it is. Chase this thought away.” she let out a small puff, “He is a doctor, that’s all. Now do you want to see the ideas for the book or not?”
“Alright, alright. Let’s see what you made.”
With this last banter, Keqing took a seat right next to Lumine. As they became absorbed in their work, the playfulness in the air turned into diligence, cool, and calmness; successfully bringing Xiao out of her mind only for a bit.
Later that day, Lumine’s body cried in exhaustion when she pushed the apartment door open. As much as she would like to keep face at work, her energy had greatly diminished. Her shoulders felt heavy, her neck tensed and her back sore.
As she was ready to jump on the sofa, to let its softness embrace her exhausted limbs and let her have a moment of respite, she saw a small note on the table - one she was sure was not there when she left this morning. Could it be?
As an apology. I left a plate in the fridge for you.
I hope you’ve recovered and are doing well. You must still feel tired. It’s normal. Don’t forget to rest.
Xiao.
As written, Lumine found a plate of food awaiting her in the fridge; one that wasn’t porridge, she recalled with a short laugh.
The cleaned plates and the new cookbook left on the kitchen counter were enough hints to guess what happened.
He had remembered her comments about his - non existent - cooking skills.
Thanks to your help I am doing much better. Still pretty tired, I will follow your advice and take it easy. ~
The meal was very good, thank you. It was a pleasant surprise. Am I taking it as a hint you’re working toward improving your cooking skills?
I hope you’re doing well too. Don’t overwork yourself.
Lumine
She hoped for a reply, leaving her little paper on the same spot as Xiao’s. Maybe it would take a few days, but she hoped nonetheless.
The wait was short.
Tomorrow another note greeted her on the coffee table at her return. The night had already fallen, and there was no trace of him stopping by, except for this little note and a bottle of strange colorful gummies.
I pondered on your words last time. I never really had the occasion nor had reasons to learn how to cook before.
I’ve been told cooking is also a way to apologize and make-up to someone.
I left some vitamin supplements for you. You can take up to two per day, it will help with the post-flu tiredness.
Note: I will be away for a few more days. I will be taking night shifts for a while. Movie night might have to wait a bit more.
After she finished reading the message, her focus slid to the bottle of gummies, most likely the supplement he mentioned. She couldn’t help but give a faint smile at how small but endearing this gesture felt.
Not so long ago, she would’ve never imagined her housemate to be this kind, caring under his distant and cold facade. Her perception shifted, and she started to wonder how she could have thought of him this way. Perhaps he was simply socially awkward. And perhaps, he simply needed a little nudge to establish contact. He was a bit peculiar, but his efforts and kindness shined through his actions.
She took her pen, a burst of excitement flooding into her body.
It’s noted, thanks for telling me!
Don’t worry about the movie night, we don’t have to. Exchange of favors, I left some sandwiches you can take at work.
Don’t skip meals.
Clever. I needed them.
The sandwiches were perfect.
Is there any food you dislike?
Lumine noticed the subtle traces of ink at the edge of the paper next to the last sentence. He had probably thought over what to add, to make small conversation. His attempts didn’t go unnoticed and she eagerly played her part of their new routine.
Nothing specifically, I am not a very picky eater. Though I tend to not enjoy too much bitter food (if you plan to make some).
I noticed bookmarks with a red mark on recipes related to fish. Do you dislike seafood?
(Sorry I took a look in your cooking book, I hope it is okay)
Feel free to use it.
The book belongs to my father. He is the one disliking seafood - all kinds. I don’t mind fish.
I am not a picky eater either but… I am not used to variety.
That’s interesting to know. So does that mean you could eat anything? Or do you prefer to remain in your safe zone food wise?
It was such a strange feeling, as they kept exchanging small messages through the past few days and weeks. Despite living in the same apartment, their sole means of communication was these little notes. Her housemate became her pen-pal. And she couldn’t deny the enthusiasm that grew each time she saw, after a long day of work, this little note waiting for her with something.
Lumine couldn’t quite explain the reason she felt this attracted to him like a moth to a flame. There was this pull that drew her in, though she knew next to nothing about him. He was a mystery. Cold as the moonlit night, and warm like the gentle sunrise on the morning dew.
Before she knew it, she inked these words on the paper. Her fingers moved by themselves as she was lost in her thoughts.
When are you back?
A few days later, after a satisfying but draining workday, chaining meeting upon endless meeting, Lumine was greeted by a pleasant surprise. A sight she had hoped would arrive soon. An extra pair of shoes was aligned at the entrance, there was no mistaking who it could belong to. Her heart skipped a beat, excitement growing and giving her renewed energy.
With haste, she untied her boots and placed them next to his. The gesture felt foreign and oddly cozy growing on her. It did not feel like a cold and lonely place to her anymore.
Lumine made her way to the living room, her pace slightly faster than she would like to admit. And there, she saw him. He was sitting on the sofa with a book in his hands with a nonchalance as though he was always there.
“You’re back.”
Xiao looked away from his book, his eyes instantly landing on her without an ounce of surprise, as if he was waiting for her.
“Welcome back.”
They were two simple words, but at this moment she realized it was the first time she had heard them. The warmness of his welcome made her feel right at home.
“I should be the one saying this.” She took off her coat, came closer, and placed it on the back of the sofa, amusement laced in her voice, “Welcome back as well. Are you staying there tonight?”
“Yes. And for a few more days, it’s been a while.”
Indeed. And his timing was impeccable. She couldn't help but feel little flutters that sparkled through her, almost as if he had read her mind.
However, she knew the reason was elsewhere. The fatigue lying underneath his words was unmissable. And upon looking closer, she could see the hints of eye bags almost hidden by his glasses.
Wait, glasses? If her memory was correct, he didn’t wear them the last time they saw each other. It was a simple and not so important detail, but still she enjoyed learning something new about him. And truth be told, she had to admit it fit him quite well.
Although she didn’t say a thing, her surprise must have been written all over her face as he shifted slightly under her gaze. Her eyes landed on the closed book in his lap, its cover looking oddly familiar. After all, she had spent her day talking about this specifically.
“Is this…?”
“Hm? Do you know it?”
Lumine leaned slightly on the sofa, “I do. Believe it or not, I have been spending a lot of time reading and doing research on it recently.”
“With no intention of being rude, how come? It’s…”
“Impossible to find nowadays?” She chuckled at his inquisitive look, “That’s right. Well, I am actually working on its re-edition. But I never had the chance to get a physical copy in my hands; they’re so hard to find. Would you mind if I take a look?”
“I don’t mind, go ahead.”
He processed the information as her attention was fully drawn to the piece of beauty she held. He could feel her excitement in the way her eyes sparkled.
“So, what… does it consist of?”
“We are recreating it brand new. I made the book design: the cover and layout of the pages - we actually validated the new definitive cover today. I will admit it was a challenging task as I don’t know much of Liyue culture. But it was enriching, I learned a lot.”
She had expected the poetry book to be a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, from the pictures she saw. And yet she was still amazed by the quality of the paper, of its sensation between the fingers, as smooth as silk, the small details on the corners of the pages, the cover that scintillated with a layer of gold to emphasize the illustration.
“May I ask which poem is your favorite?”
“The Peacock Flies Southeast poem. It would be hard to explain what exactly made me so captivated by this story.”
He took a moment to allow his thoughts to gather, his gaze looking at the book in her hands with a softness that momentarily took her breath away.
“Perhaps it is because, despite the tragedies and hardships the couple faced, their love and bond never wavered. They earned the respect of their people, who in return allowed them to rest in peace, together for eternity.”
“This is surprisingly very romantic of you.”
He snorted with a tinge of amusement. “Is that so. What is yours then?”
She twirled one strand of hair between her fingers, seemingly lost in thought. It was not an easy question for her. She had enjoyed a few stories but thought she lacked deeper reading of the poems, some meanings properly lost to her as she was not native from Liyue.
“Hmmm… The one with the tragic couple turning into butterflies. I don't quite remember the title…”
“The butterfly lovers?”
“Yes, this one!”
His low hum of approval resonated, a certain pride blooming in response.
“It is a beautiful poem as well. As tragic as the Peacock Flies Southeast, but the imagery of the butterfly truly makes it special.”
Mirth crossed his gaze for a split of a second, followed by the shadow of a soft smile. “Although, this is surprisingly romantic of you.”
“I knew I should’ve gone with the one about an ascending phoenix…” she muttered with a slight pout and a faint tint of blush on her cheeks. She had not expected him to throw back her own teasing, so smoothly, and somehow it only made her heart beat faster, butterflies nesting in her chest.
“It would’ve been an interesting choice as well. These stories are also captivating.”
"You know, I think you remind me of a phoenix. You are mysterious, and as fleeting as a bird."
“Is that so? It feels strange to be compared to such a mythical creature.” He took a pause, his voice softening ever so slightly, his expression morphing into one of fondness, as though he was remembering a sweet memory. “From what I can tell, we both have a deep love for Wu Tong trees.”
“Is there a specific meaning between the phoenix and the Wu Tong tree? I often wondered why they seemed to always be associated in literature.”
“It started with another ancient poem. They named the tree this way because of this pole specifically. The legend of ´Phoenix dwelling on Wutong Tree’ widely spread among the people through time.”
“You do know a lot, I am impressed. Had I known sooner I would’ve come to you for my project.” Her eyes curved with a slight admiration.
“It’s nothing much. I just had the chance to read a lot of books when I was younger.”
Slowly and with just these few hints, she was starting to see a glimpse of his character; hidden beneath the surface laid what appeared to be a vast ocean of knowledge. A man of refined culture, yet humble - or too introverted - to share about. A golden mine to explore.
It piqued her interest, curiosity and eagerness to learn more about him only grew stronger. However, before she had the chance to dive in deeper, a loud and embarrassing growl coming from her stomach resounded. She mumbled an apology, hiding her face behind the sofa in shame. Though there was no trace of bother or mockery in his calm voice.
“Let’s feed you first. Anything would you like to eat?”
In a smooth motion, Xiao was already standing and making his way to the kitchen. But before moving behind the counter, he turned his head to her, a sheepish expression on his face.
“Maybe we could cook together if you wish?”
“Of course! But don't feel forced to do it, you can also rest.”
“I don’t force myself. I would be happy to receive your teachings.”
Lumine followed his steps with a bright beaming smile.
She hadn’t imagined how this evening would turn, talking about Liyuean poems and even sharing the kitchen with him, helping and teaching him some cooking skills. It was strangely comfortable.
Time flew fast, too fast to her liking and in the blink of an eye the evening was already coming to an end. Eyes heavy with sleep, she tried to force herself to stay awake just a tiny bit longer. Despite her best efforts, it proved to be a pointless battle, her half slumbering state not going unnoticed under his vigilance. It was a shame, truly.
“It’s already late. You should go to sleep for now.”
She did not want to. Not yet. Don’t end it yet. But she had no strength left, and knew he was right. With a nod, Lumine got up from her comfortable nest on the sofa. Upon not seeing him moving, she turned to him, “You’re not going too?”
“Not yet.”
He bid her a good night, watching as she left for her room. Only when her silhouette disappeared behind the door, did he look away, his gaze falling on the window blackened by the night. The room became dull and quiet. But he knew darkness was hiding in the shadows - his night wouldn't be as peaceful as hers.