Genshin Impact One-Shots

Gaming | Appreciating

Being hungry and exhausted does not make a good combination whatsoever as you're struggling to focus on the black words in front of you. Studying for the final exams is simply not going to happen at this rate; at least, not until you get some necessary food and sleep in.

And so you cross your arms on the table and plop your head down, creating a temporary darkness.

You eventually drift off to nothingness—not quite dreamland yet, but you're able to block out the slow drips of the aromatic coffee, the soft murmurs of conversations, and the crisp flipping of pages. Due to your current state, you see yourself munching on some of your favorite foods and drinking the most refreshing drinks. In fact, you're even starting to smell something delicious...

"Heeey...! Guess who got you some nibbles?"

You feel a cold and wet sensation on your arm, gradually stirring you awake from your short slumber. Lifting your head up, the overly bright lights of the library fully wakes you up as you squint and rub your eyes, groaning with a slight frown.

Your favorite savory food hovers right in front of you before it quickly moves away to reveal your friend's sparkling, brown eyes. He tilts his head at your sleepy expression, pinching your cheek lightly. "Mornin' my sleepyhead!"

Being the considerate and sweet guy he is, of course Gaming would rush through the intense and pouring rain just to bring you some food he ordered from the on campus convenience store. Knowing his character, you purposely didn't share how you were actually feeling when he called you earlier to check on the progress of your studying.

But you should've known he would've figured things out. His observant nature is evident in the way he always knows how you and others are feeling.

"I can never hide anything from you..." you murmur with a helpless smile. "Thanks for always looking out for me."

His gaze softens, staring at you for a moment longer, before he sits across the table and starts pushing the various foods and snacks toward you, urging to eat up while the food is hot. He even got himself some things, including char siu with white rice. It doesn't take long for him to dig into the food, and you follow shortly after, enjoying your own meal.

"Mmm...! Dang, this is good! Nothing beats filling up an empty stomach at 3 AM; it hits different."

As you're eating quietly, you're discreetly taking glances, observing the way he is happily chewing on the food, his eyes widening slightly every bite he takes. Then his eyes would close—a beam present on his face—at the deliciousness. You adore how easily expressive he gets over food; it's cute.

Without taking his attention off the white rice and melty meat, he asks, "Am I extra good looking today? Must be, since you can't take your eyes off me."

Immediately, you almost choke on the food at those embarrassing words as you turn your head away and cover your mouth, suppressing an incoming strained cough. Gaming starts laughing quietly, not wanting to disturb the studious students nearby, and he rolls a water bottle toward you.

A few generous gulps. A cough. A relieved sigh. An unamused stare to the male who caused this whole situation.

"Aw, don't look at me like that... you're making it seem as if I did something wrong. I was only stating my observations," he points out, feigning sadness with a pout.

"Well, your observations are incorrect. You... look the same as always. I was just appreciating the way you get so giddy whenever you eat; it's cute."

Now it's his turn to cough, not expecting your honest answer at all. He covers his mouth with the back of his hand, averting his eyes to the side. His face flushes. "What... what are you even saying..."

You also look away from his cute reaction and clear your throat awkwardly. While you didn't intend to fluster him, you aren't complaining that he has reacted this way to your words. If anything, you thought he would've thanked you for the compliment and moved on, finishing his container of char siu and white rice. But he's just sitting there, mouth covered with his blushing face turned away.

"I was only stating my reasoning for staring at you, s-so... stop making things so awkward and go finish your char siu!" you manage to stammer out after some time of silence. You roll the water bottle over to him and quickly stuff another spoonful of food into your mouth.

"Mhm... thanks."

A few generous gulps. An interminable silence. The container still left on the table.

Is he still flustered? Surely you have called him "cute" in the past before. You can't recall, but seeing your usually chipper friend quiet makes you think otherwise. As someone who cannot deal with the awkward atmosphere, you're about to say something else to break the silence, but his voice stops you from doing so.

"I... guess it won't be weird if I admit I was appreciating the way you looked at me, right?"

-♡-

What better way to introduce Lunar New Years 2024 than a one-shot of the cute Gaming? He has lion danced his way into my heart.