clueless ♡ xiao

11 | Strings to the puppet

"Listen here, Y/n-" Scaramouche began, but his response was cut short by your amber-eyed outgoing savior, Yoimiya. She rushed to you, bags cradling, hung onto her arm and weighed down like Christmas ornaments. Her hands spun you around by your shoulders as she dragged you along the sombre store.

Yoimiya leaned to one of the walls as she let out a long-awaited exhale, her hands supporting her body from the wall. You too, let out a sigh. You had thought you were going to stay in that awkward trance forever.

"I never understand how you get into such weird situations.." Yoimiya shook her head, "I would've asked for their signatures, but the look on your face said you weren't in good terms with them"

"Because I'm not" You responded, tugging one of the shopping bags Yoimiya had slung on her arm and slung it on yours instead.

"What's with you and famous people anyway? You never smile when the conversations about them pop up"

"I dunno, they always seem to reveal themselves in the worst time possible. There's too many in my life, you know?" The two of you simultaneously walked towards the dressing rooms, you of course, not realizing where nor understanding why. 

Yoimiya began mindlessly casting off the bags, her grin growing wider and wider as you both stood before one of the empty changing room's door. Nobody spoke, nobody tried to. If you listened carefully, shuffles from around and chatters from outside the shop sung. Childe and Scaramouche have probably left already, and that was a comforting thought enough to keep you from backing away from this plan.

A light plastic bag pressed to your chest, handed by a visibly thrilled Yoimiya. You stared at her, then at the bag, and attempted to peek inside before your joyful friend smacked your head with a pout.

"Y/n! You need to go inside the changing room before you actually look at the surprise!" She shoved you to the room, leaving your eyes wide in disbelief. Really? She chose a whole outfit for me? 

Wearily, you locked the door behind you, "This better be good Yoi.. Your pops wouldn't be proud if he went to that 4NEMO concert with us and I was wearing something weird.."

Her muffled laugh from behind the door responded, "He misses you by the way, but you know my outfit taste is too superior for Pops to be disappointed for"

You were about to agree, it was true that Yoimiya's outfits had always been a banger, but as you pulled out the set of items in front of you, you paused "Uh, Yoimiya?"

"Huh? Not the right size?"

"I think you chose the wrong outfit for me"

___

His footsteps treaded lightly along the glistened wooden floor amongst the other members. The light pooled on their backs, warmth tugging at them as if pleading to bask more into the brightness from the open windows. Sweat drippled from their foreheads, their faces, their bodies. Then, the music stopped.

A hand from behind him held one of his shoulder.

"You did great on this one!" Venti smiled, appearing from Xiao's view, "What's got you so motivated today?"

What's got him so motivated? Xiao couldn't answer that question. Rather, he didn't know how- so instead, he ignored Venti and made his way to the benches, Kazuha and Aether already being there.

Lightly dabbing over his body with a freshly clean towel, he grabbed his water bottle with his free hand and feverishly drunk it up. There was a comfortable silence always residing after choreography practice, just how he wanted it to be, especially when preparing for big events such as these.

Jean had announced another tour coming up, both in and outside of Liyue. Liyue, Mondstadt and Sumeru- Luckily just before the awaited Inazuma trip. His phone rang, quietly vibrating in a soft light from his bag.

"Hello?"

Unbeknownst to him, a member of the group quietly payed attention to Xiao's conversation, of course, unintentionally. It was only the two of the boys left in the studio, the sun now barely visible from it's rapid withdrawal. As his over-the-phone discussion soon came to an end merely seconds after, the member spoke.

"You need to go to Naganohara fireworks? Perhaps I can lead the way" Kazuha opted, "I was just about to go there myself, to visit a friend"

For a moment, Xiao paused- hesitant of failure of the detective work if it were to be revealed to Kazuha. But he assured himself- Kazuha was already seeing a friend, so what's wrong with coming along with him? Even though they usually don't talk to each other that much, despite being in the same group.

Xiao's tensed shoulders dropped, his face less firm but still not at ease, "Alright, let's go"

Long awaits each of these individual's momentous occasions- your concert, Heizou's newest lead and the encounter of the three boys. But surely, not all of these events would end up so smoothly? Surely, a third party entering won't lead a disaster?

Would there?

A/N

Good news and bad news

I swear I can explain the absence, ig I won't go too much into it but a lot has happened and I had to go to therapy, so yeah that really drained me out :,) I sincerely apologize for not updating in (i think??) two months but the good news is that my kazuha x reader fic is gonna be out the second I post this 🤭🤭

And also HOW IS SUMERU?? I have completed all of the quests and my exploration is almost 100%, I said I was going to pull for Ganyu buttttt Cyno's ult won me over as someone who is utterly in love with masked ults (looking at you Xiao👀👀)

Please don't forget to vote and comment! I love reading all of your comments seriously they make my day, and of course, I'll see you all next chapter!