Chapter Text
Three quick raps—her customary knock on his door at sometime past eight in the evening. Xiao rises from his home setup, sweeping his fingers through his dark hair and for the first time, wondering why he has let this arrangement go on for so long.
He opens the door and there she is—worn out from work but her eyes ever bright—the sight hushing his thoughts. Like routine, she hands him the warm Tupperware, smiles sheepishly, and says, “I made too much—”
“—for one person,” he finishes her line. “You don’t have to give me dinner each time it happens, but thank you nonetheless.”
He winces a little on the inside at his callous delivery, berating himself more as he watches a flush creep onto her supple cheeks. He could’ve phrased that one better.
“Right,” she mumbles. “I hope you like sweet and sour pork though.”
“I do!” he answers too eagerly and his own cheeks grow warm as well. He then repeats calmly, “I do.”
Lumine only giggles. “That’s a favorite of yours, I take?”
He feels neutral about the dish, but nods anyway. Excusing himself for a moment, he retrieves the other night’s container and gives it to her.
She smiles, eyes twinkling, and steps back toward her door with a small wave. “Until next time, Xiao.”
A few minutes later when he sits down at the dining table, lifts the lid of the pink Tupperware, and takes a generous bite, he does not feel neutral about sweet and sour pork anymore—like how he feels with everything about her.