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"Hey," You mutter as your chin lands on the shoulder of your boyfriend.
"Hello," Xingqiu resisted the temptation to chuckle, not wanting to move from his current position now that your head was tickling his shoulder. With his eyes still set on the papers neatly placed on the study desk, he asks, "Do you need any help?"
"No," It was a short and quiet reply, moving further and burying your face in the crook of his neck.
"What's wrong, darling?" He finally puts down his pencil and turns his chair around to face your grumbling mood, his hand immediately reaching for the strands of your hair to offer comfort. "You alright?"
"I don't..." The rest of your confession
subdued, leaving it as a blur to him despite the already close proximity between the two of you.
"Could you repeat that?" He chuckles.
You begrudgingly lift your head to face him properly with a self-doubting stance.
"I don't want to study."
Xingqiu raises a brow, your words catching his attention. "But tomorrow's our finals."
"I know," You sigh. "But I'm sleepy."
"[Name], it's seven in the evening." His hand lowers to your cheek with a slight smile. "And you promised to finish your studies tonight so we could turn in early." Despite his initial surprise at your confession, he couldn't help but still find this endearing.
"Xingqiu," Your groaning and poor attempt to slack off weren't going to work on him this time. You could tell from the way his smile didn't fall.
"Get your book and come sit beside me." He says, "Let me see where you're having trouble."
Begrudgingly, You go back to your own study table that was set up downstairs and pick up the book where most of the items were going to be referenced for the exam.
Ever since the two of you had started living together under one roof, studying near each other was one of the perks you got to have because that meant he could explain any concept that you were having trouble with.
"Here," Your voice made Xingqiu turn to your entrance, where you put down the book on his lap. He then transfers it to his table and carefully pulls you beside him.
"Which chapter?"
"Chapter 11, page 358."
"Alright," Xingqiu turns to the pages, focused on the book as his free hand wraps your waist and places you on his lap. "Here we go."
A note that was in between those pages was placed there and he quickly scanned it, finding out that this was the last chapter you needed to finish studying before you were all set for tomorrow.
"I see why you gave up on this," Your boyfriend mutters while he rests his chin on your shoulder, "It is quite a tricky topic."
"I should just sleep it off." You joke, but he didn't seem to like it from the way he poked your side. "Hey!"
"You're being too sheepish, my love." He chuckles, "Despite it being tricky, the coverage isn't as long. So you need to focus, okay?"
You sigh, seeing as there is no more choice but to finish what you started. "Fine,"
It did seem worth it after looking over your boyfriend who lit up at your defeat. He picked up the book from the table, nestled it close to your chest, and started his own version of the discussion that was way simpler than what was printed on the pages.
His warmth had somehow managed to keep you concentrated just like he wanted, his arms wrapped around you to keep the book steady, and your head buzzing from how close his voice traveled between your skin every time he uttered a word. Perhaps he was the only factor you needed to finally solve your studying conundrum.
"Wait, that was it?" You let out a breath of air, surprised by the short amount of time it took for you to understand what remained.
"Do you understand it now?" He asks, keeping the book open in case you have any more questions. "We can go over it again if you aren't feeling confident yet."
As a reply, you shake your head to reject him. "No, I think I got it."
"[Name]," Xingqiu raises a brow, "Tell me the truth."
"No, seriously." You laugh—even though you know that would just increase the risk of him not believing you. "It's the book's fault for making it seem so complicated. You did really well explaining it, Qiu."
He puts the book down and buries his nose further to your neck, sighing. "I'm glad."
"Thank you," Your hand travels to his hair, entangling the strands to your fingers and gently brushing it.
"Of course, darling." He presses a gentle kiss on your shoulder, "It's always a pleasure to help you acquire knowledge."
"I think I deserve a good rest after that."
"You're absolutely correct." He perks up, breaking the contact between you and his head. "Why don't you finish writing your notes and I'll prepare the bed, hm?"
The exhaustion is instilled back into you after the loss of adrenaline from your last attempt to understand the remaining bits in your notes for tomorrow's final exams. Yawning, you quickly finish writing the notes on what you learned from Xingqiu, who referenced the book.
_____
"There we go," Xingqiu, this time, could not resist laughing at your tired appearance flopping on top of him, which he received with open arms. "You're okay now. You can rest." He assures you in a gentle whisper.
"I feel like I'm gonna pass out any minute now."
"Oh, my poor lover." He chuckles and reaches out to caress your cheek while also using his free hand to envelope the two of you with a blanket. "Whatever shall we do with the complex academic books that continue to haunt you?"
"The authors and editors clearly do not know the concept of parsimony." You mumble, moving away a bit on the side to give him some space. "An option is to burn them."
"You're always so humorous no matter the state of well-being, huh?" Xingqiu's amused laughter was quick and effortless, wanting to kiss you on the cheek. "Though, now that you conquered your biggest trouble for tonight, might I suggest that you close your eyes and let my affection lull you to sleep?"
"Alright." You smile with your weariness evident now. "It's my favorite part of the night after all."
His fingers tuck the strands of your hair behind your ear before kissing your forehead as you close your eyes.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, my love."