Work Text:
“I bet you a nice ass dinner you won’t kiss Xiao before the night is over.”
— — —
It’s all Beidou’s fault. Kazuha’s nerves led to him downing shot after shot in order to build up the courage needed to confront Xiao, one of his extremely handsome classmates.
They were stuck as partners more often than not in biology labs and how Kazuha has not fucked up beyond belief is a miracle in and of itself. Kazuha had the patience for dissections while Xiao did not, so naturally, Kazuha caved in and did every dissection himself.
He totally wouldn’t look forward to when Xiao needed to lean in closer to confirm something. It’s not like his hair would accidentally brush against Kazuha’s cheek either. Kazuha never once blushed when Xiao would laugh breathily at some stupid comment Kazuha made under his breath.
Nope. Not at all.
His efforts were going well until another classmate, Beidou, started figuring things out.
Kazuha and Beidou shared the next class of the day, psychology, and she started asking questions.
“So Xiao, huh?” “Seems you’ve got a little crush.”
He absolutely did not have a crush on Xiao. Kazuha did not simply crush on anyone. If he was attracted to someone, he made a move. He was never one to hesitate.
“Invite him to that party this weekend! Ajax won’t care.”
Kazuha hardly had the courage to exchange answers with Xiao. Inviting him to a party is even more daunting.
“You seem tired,” Kazuha greeted Xiao upon their next lab. Xiao was dressed in an oversized black sweater with his hair tied back and donned dark-rimmed glasses. Kazuha didn’t know Xiao wore glasses but he became several times more handsome.
“Mhm, stayed up too long studying since I put it off all day,” Xiao responded before slamming down the rest of his energy drink. “I’ll survive if you make sure I don’t fall asleep.”
Xiao smiled lazily and Kazuha’s moment of surprise.
“I- Uh- Sure! Dr. Baizhu is really understanding though if you need to go.” Kazuha had witnessed their instructor’s kindness on several occasions.
“I plan on skipping the rest of my classes,” Xiao yawned, then pushed up the glasses that were slipping down his nose. “Just wanted to hang out with you a bit.”
“Me? Really? I-I think I’m quite boring,” Kazuha stuttered. He slid into the seat beside Xiao after tucking his baggy shirt into his waistband and tying his hair back.
“I don’t know, I think we click well.”
“Ah, then why don’t we exchange numbers?” Kazuha’s confidence collected for the year was used up in a single moment. “I can always help you study too.”
“Give me that ancient phone of yours then.” Xiao extended his hand toward Kazuha. “It’s about time for an upgrade.”
“It still works just fine!” Kazuha pouted. He loved the laugh it brought out of Xiao. He was so fucking whipped.
“To be expected of an art major. Ancient technology so you can buy those expensive markers or something,” Xiao added his contact information before texting himself. “My sister’s girlfriend knows all about that stuff.”
“What’s your major?” Kazuha had never heard Xiao talk about it. Xiao kept his eyes trained on Kazuha for longer than expected.
“Undecided. I want to do stage directing but I’m conflicted for now.” Xiao reached out to touch Kazuha’s hair. “Don’t you need a haircut?”
“Are you saying it looks bad?” Kazuha asked nervously. “How dare you, I’m no longer your lab partner!”
“It looks nice! It’s just different from usual.”
“If you go to a party with me this weekend, then I’ll think about cutting it,” Kazuha couldn’t figure out a smooth way to bring up the question. His mind also starts reeling once he realized how he phrased the question.
Xiao’s face was blank as he stared at Kazuha for a few moments.
“Didn’t take you for a party guy. But I’ll join you, text me about it.”
— — —
It was the evening of the party and sure enough, Xiao showed up.
“I bet you a nice ass dinner you won’t kiss Xiao before the night is over.”
Fuck Beidou and her bets. She knows Kazuha can’t resist them. It’s his weakness but also his current source of courage as he faces his own insecurities about how Xiao feels towards him.
Does Xiao only see him as a classmate or friend? Would Xiao be uncomfortable if Kazuha pursued him? He isn’t used to these thoughts. He surely isn’t used to the racing of his heart when his eyes land on the subject of why he’s here in the first place.
Xiao arrived a little later than expected but he looked phenomenal. Red makeup framed his already intense eyes. Dressed in a white shimmery button-down top and slim-fitted black pants, Kazuha was already losing the bit of calmness he had reserved. Thick-soled boots with silver detailing matched the many accessories Xiao decided to wear, minus his glasses.
Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, his lip ring; Kazuha was ascending.
“He looks nice,” Beidou said, “You should go tell him. He looks a bit out of his element.”
Once Beidou mentioned it, he could see the slight discomfort settle in Xiao’s shoulders as he scanned the crowd for someone he recognized. Kazuha pushed through the crowd as kindly as he could to make it to Xiao. The closer Kazuha got, the harder his heart pounded.
“Xiao! You made it,” Kazuha was breathless. “You could’ve texted me you were close and I could’ve walked you in!”
“No, no, it’s alright. I know Ajax’s girlfriend so I figured if I couldn’t find you, I could find her.” Xiao sighed, running his hand through his hair to push it out of his face.
“You look great,” Kazuha couldn’t contain the words any longer. He could see Xiao used glitter as well for his eyes. “I didn’t know you were so good with makeup.”
“A hobby of mine; picked it up in theatre honestly. You look damn nice yourself,” Xiao pointed out, smoothing one side of Kazuha’s collar. “You should wear green more. It really fuckin’ suits you”
“Oh, uh, thanks. You- I mean-” Kazuha dragged his hand down his face. “Would you like something to drink? I was just in the kitchen getting me something to drink myself.”
“Sure, lead the way,” Xiao said.
“I heard drinks!” A voice called out close by. Xiao and Kazuha whipped around to find Ajax walking their way. “I’m having to replace the drinks since someone fucked up the ones on the table. Go ahead and grab something that’s here before I set it out for those heathens.”
“Where’s Lumine? Figured she would be nearby,” Xiao asked, grabbing two beers for himself and Kazuha.
“Oh, she’s playing beer pong with Itto.” Ajax sighed with a grin nonetheless. “I have a feeling they’ll only decide a winner when one passes out. Already have a bed ready for the loser.”
“Sounds… interesting.” Kazuha quickly gulped down most of the beer. He would need some liquid courage to stay around Xiao any longer.
“Kazuha, right? Xiao’s lab partner?” Ajax glanced between the two with a knowing look. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Don’t fuck on my counters!”
Kazuha and Xiao struggled to not choke on their drinks after Ajax’s words.
“Gonna fight his ass,” Xiao muttered before glancing back at Kazuha. Xiao’s cheeks were dusted a warm peach and Kazuha was struggling to not look.
“No offense, but doesn’t Ajax play football? He’s a menace,” Kazuha laughed heartily at Xiao’s flat expression. “Don’t worry about him. Beidou is just as bad.”
“Beidou? The really loud but smart older woman in our lab right?” Xiao quickly looked back out among the sea of people, “The one in the sparkly purple… pants?”
“Yeah, she never wears dresses. We became pretty decent buddies in psych and she likes to tease me all the time about-” Kazuha stopped before he could finish that sentence.
“Oh? Should I just ask her what she would tease you about,” Xiao stepped closer into Kazuha’s space. With the platforms on Xiao’s shoes, they were equal in height. Kazuha couldn’t escape his gaze. Xiao’s eyes were darker than ever now.
“No need. She would just tease me about a crush.” Kazuha whispered. Despite the ruckus of the party, all Kazuha could hear was Xiao.
“On who?”
“You.”
Xiao stared at Kazuha for a few seconds in silence. Kazuha could hear his heart beating loudly in his ears. Xiao’s hands came up to rest on Kazuha’s shoulders before stepping even closer.
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I kissed you then?” Xiao was close enough that Kazuha could feel his breath on his lips. The alcohol in his system only increased all the sensations Kazuha was feeling. Without hesitating any longer, Kazuha closed the distance between them.
The slide of their lips together was far more intoxicating than the beer Kazuha was drinking. One of Xiao’s hands slipped into his hair while the other cradled his cheek. Kazuha couldn’t help but moan when Xiao pushed at the seam of his lips with his tongue. Kazuha’s hands fell on Xiao’s hips, one hand sliding down farther than the other to grab at his ass through his jeans. The kiss grew heated before they had time to second guess their decision. Pure passion and lust fueled the ever-growing fire between them.
“Getting worked up are we?” Xiao muttered into the kiss. Kazuha could hardly keep his wits about him. Xiao’s tongue in his mouth was like a drug he was addicted to. His hands dragged up Xiao’s body, resting on his chest instead. Kazuha’s hands worked faster than his brain when he started to undo some of the buttons on his shirt. It didn’t matter they were still in Ajax’s kitchen and were just warned to keep their hands to themselves.
“Really want you out of this, Xiao.” Kazuha leaned back to say. Xiao took the moment to drag his lips over Kazuha’s jaw line, nipping softly at the skin. Wet kisses trailed further down his neck until he landed on a spot that earned a gasp from Kazuha. Xiao bit down gently, moaning when Kazuha’s fingers tangled in his hair and tugged.
“Xiao!” Kazuha couldn’t process the pleasure but he loved it regardless. “There’s a bathroom close by.”
“Let’s go then,” Xiao’s voice was hoarse and gravely already. Kazuha knew he was a goner. The firmness of Xiao’s body against his was too much for his rationality.
He also knew Beidou would not hold up her end of the deal as he saw her jaw drop once they walked by, disheveled and clearly involved with each other.
Kazuha didn’t care. He got the treat he wanted all along. They can talk later when all of this has become a thing of the past.