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Xiao doesn't know how to steady his hands when the flower is first set in them. He'll break it- he'll crush it's delicate petals beneath his gloves- only Celestia knows how many things he could do- even without intention.
Yet Hu Tao gives him this reassuring smile. She always does, a look of understanding despite being mortal- knowing full well the limitations of living things. It's still suprising she'd waste her time on the forgotten Adeptus, but that doesn't mean she isn't welcome. Hu Tao is an important citizen of Liyue after all.
Xiao is taken out of his thoughts as Hu Tao gently turns his head to face her own. Xiao raises his brow in response, only to be greeted by a soft placing of a woven qingxin crown upon his head.
Suprisingly he doesn't flinch- not that he would, mind you. By the way she placed it his hair is still fully underneath, and the glaze lilies cover the crown of his forehead. Xiao can see out of his peripheral vision some stems, the petals too small except for the ones on his face. The moonlight hitting them making them gleam a few shades brighter, contrasting beautifully with Xiao's dark locks.
Xiao finally looks at Hu Tao's face. She's smiling, a real relaxed smile and admiring her work, as well as Xiao's own amazement. When Xiao notices she stammers out, "W-what? Is my crown not fit for the miiiiighty Adeptus Xiao~?" There's a slight blush on her cheeks that can't save her from full embarrassment, but Xiao only smiles in reply.
"You sure are fearless to joke with me."
Hu Tao perks up again, but Xiao looks down at the bundle of qingxin in his hands. Putting it down to grab some silk flowers to and weaving them in the crown pattern similar to Hu Tao's. Those remind him of her much more accurately. From he color to the scent. Most particularly use that despite everybody needs, only certain people can care for.
He's done this before, with Ganyu and Rex Lapis in his younger days. A means of celebration that the mortals did, passed down to Morax, then to them too. Ganyu would make them in the fields for the bypassing humans on break. She always looked beautiful with the blue flowers adorning her horns, while Xiao had never considered it for himself.
His fingers work at a faster speed than Hu Tao's, catching her attention. She smiles mischievously as this cooooould be good blackmail, but she's more interested in how many he's made. For lovers? For interests? For the people of Liyue? For Mr.Zhongli? She'll ask later, not wanting to break his concentration- which is much more interesting to watch.
Hu Tao leans in to get a better view, but is met by Xiao's hand lifting her face up again.
She blushes cause obviously people don't normally do this- buisness manner is her strongsuit, not social interactions. Not many people want to hang out with a ride-or-die.
She also get's a moment of relief from her thoughts by the fragrant flowers being set delicately on her head.
The small dark petals showing in her peripheral vision, but the sweet scent much stronger in her nose. She admires how softly it clings to her hair- the perfect tension to sit on her head and not cling- obviously he has more skills than she thought.
But looking back at him he has that mindless scowl on. He's waiting for a response with a brow raised but really it's just fun to look at his face. She's really special to see him this close, and now she get's why he's a catch with the girls at the pier. Not that he'd ever be interested.
Xiao blinks a few times before Hu Tao bursts out laughing, him not bothered in the slightest. She has to wipe tears from her eyes- this is just so weird! As she lets out a breath to smile again she just kisses him on the cheek as thanks then grins as he's caught off guard. A lite tinge of red on his ears and an even worse scowl pointed right at her.
This must have happened before, but the blessing of their social awkwardness always makes him fun to tease. Xiao understands it too, them both grinning ear to ear after the whole laughing fit. These moments they'll both cherish in the end.