Sept 27
6:11pm

You decided today was the day where you'd give Xiao the almond tofu you had promised him when you first joined the club.

Even though you were almost a month late, you were still happy to finally fulfill your promise.

Hu Tao had given you his address (with his permission of course) and you were currently on your way there.

Conveniently, his house was two blocks ahead of yours. You lived in the same neighborhood.

Upon arriving there, you rang the doorbell exactly two times before Xiao had opened it.

He didn't say anything and just blankly stared at you, waiting for you to say something first. You blinked a few times before shaking your head.

"Hi. Here's your almond tofu," you said, getting straight to the point.

He simply nodded and looked at your hands, where you were carrying the almond tofu.

You reached it out to him where he then brought his hands to yours, grabbing onto it. 'Damn his hands are soft,' you thought to yourself as you handed over the dessert.

You both then proceeded to awkwardly stare at each other.

Xiao cleared his throat, averting his eyes from you. "Thank you," he said in a low tone.

You, feeling more confident than usual, began grinning. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it."

You could here the male click his tongue before raising his voice. "I said thank you," he repeated, but in a rather irritated tone this time.

Your smile widened from satisfaction. It was rare hearing something kind come from him, so you took full advantage of this opportunity.

"Well, that's it then I guess. Bye," you said before turning around to leave.

But Xiao stopped you before you could go any further. "Wait," he said, grabbing onto your wrist with his free hand.

You tilted your head, glancing back at him. "Yeah?"

"Would you also like some?" He offered nonchalantly, while avoiding eye contact.

You were taken aback by his sudden offer. Surely, that was the last thing you were expecting from him.

Unable to refuse, you nodded your head. "Sure, why not."

He gestured for you to come inside and you did. The both of you headed towards the living room, where he then went to the kitchen and brought back two forks.

After handing you one, you both began eating from the plate.

Xiao inspected his first bite closely, as if observing every detail.

You noticed this and laughed. "Don't worry, I didn't poison it," you joked to which he shook his head at.

"I didn't think you did," he uttered and you simply chuckled in response.

He then took a bite and you could've sworn you saw his eyes light up the moment he did.

'I want someone to look at me the way Xiao looks at his almond tofu,' is the first thought that came to your mind.

"Do you like it?" You asked, observing him closely. But his expression was unreadable.

"Hm, it's not bad," he hummed as he took another bite.

You decided to take a few bites too so it wouldn't just be you staring at him eat.

"Why do you like almond tofu?" You asked, in an attempt to start a conversation.

Xiao paused what he was doing and furrowed his eyebrows, as if deep in thought. Then he continued eating, completely ignoring your question.

But you weren't one to give up so easily.

"Why do you like almond tofu?" You asked again, a bit louder this time.

You could hear him sigh while he looked up at you. "The taste is nostalgic," he mumbled.

You simply nodded in response.

"So where's your guardian?" You asked another question, trying to keep the conversation going.

"He's at work," Xiao answered swiftly before taking another bite. His entire focus was solely on the almond tofu. You found it cute how much he adored the dessert.

It didn't take long until he finished it. He got up, grabbed the plate, and went to the kitchen. Meanwhile, you remained sitting as you watched the male.

He returned shortly and glanced at you. There was an awkward silence before you spoke up. "Uh— I should go now," you said as you got up, he didn't respond to that.

You walked towards the door then looked back at him one last time. "Thanks for letting me stay," you said while waving goodbye.

"No need for thanks, I should be the one thanking you for the almond tofu," he commented while crossing his arms. You hummed and turned around, walking outside.

Then you heard his deep voice speak once more from behind. "Thank you," you heard Xiao say but quietly, as if he didn't want you to hear. But you heard him very clearly.

With a wide smile appearing on your face, you turned around again. "Well, I did owe you after all."

"Mhm," he nodded his head, with his face still having the same emotionless expression.

You took a deep breath in. "Ok, I'll go for real now," and with that, you closed the door and left.

Xiao waited a few moments to make sure you really did leave. And awhile later, he let out a thorough sigh.

He turned around and looked back at the spot you had been sitting in, recalling everything that had just happened.

And without noticing, he had been softly smiling.

○
●
○

Sept 27
6:40pm

[ Hu Tao 😘👻 ]

Y/n
i want smn to look at me the way xiao looks at his almond tofu

Hu Tao
did you give him the almond tofu?? how did it go

Y/n
it was awkward but it wasn't too bad

Hu Tao
well it was the first time you guys were alone

Y/n
true

Hu Tao
so. anything interesting happen??

wink wink

Y/n
besides us just sitting there in silence, no

Hu Tao
booring

you guys are no fun

Y/n
what did you expect

Hu Tao

y'know, tea

Y/n
what.

Hu Tao
i'm just kidding

Y/n
you better be

we are just friends rn

Hu Tao
rn??

are you hinting you'll be smth more in the future 🤔🤔

Y/n
what no

i think

Hu Tao
OMG

y/n, do you like xiao? 🥺

Y/n
shut up no

Hu Tao
you totally do

why else have you been bothering to talk to him

you didn't talk to anyone but me bfr

Y/n
he's just an interesting person to talk to, that's all

Hu Tao
liar

don't be so dense

if you like him, just say so 😋

Y/n
shut. up.

let me be dense

it's so much easier

Hu Tao
no, i don't want to make your life so easy

you can't escape this 👻

Y/n
wow. some friend you are

Hu Tao

but if you do like him, lemme know

i can definitely set you guys up

Y/n
i'll consider it ig

Hu Tao
WAIT

so you do like him???

OH MY ARCHONS

Y/n
LMAO SHUT UP

Hu Tao
wait you like XIAO?

i just realized we are talking abt xiao

xiao.

the small grumpy awkward emo xiao.

out of everyone, you choose to like xiao.

Y/n
i didn't even say i like him

Hu Tao
so you don't?

Y/n
i didn't say that either

Hu Tao
ima take that as a yes you do like him

can i set you guys up

Y/n
no that'll be awkward as hell

ima prbly just be quiet abt it for the rest of my life

and imagine scenarios in my head then make myself feel like shit bcuz i know it'll never come true

yeah.

Hu Tao
that's sad.

i will not let that happen

you have a chance with him, so why not go for it

Y/n
do i really have a chance tho

Hu Tao
probably

Y/n
hmm

well i gtg now

ig i'll ttyl

Hu Tao
sure, let's finish this convo later 😋

Y/n
suree

Hu Tao reacted with 😋