Pride has always been a strong point about Xiao. After all, he had to maintain his intimidating tattoo artist appearance. So why did he lose his cool when he was with you? He lay in bed, after spending the whole day thinking about you. It felt like a trance. He wanted you but he wouldn't have you. He was afraid of hurting you, of getting hurt. Afraid of the vulnerability that love brought him, Xiao shook his head. It wouldn't happen. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ He stood by your side, not sure how to act. His eyes begging you almost saying “please have mercy on me”, but he knew you had no idea how you made him feel. He didn't know if this is it. But it wasn't love, it couldn't be. He's not falling for you. But when you approached him to teach him how to play the ukulele, his heart raced like it was going to run out of his chest. He was afraid, he want to you get your heart away from him. Because deep down he didn't know if this love thing sounded quite right. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ He definitely wasn't gasping for air when you held his hand. His head's exploding now. He's definitely not ready for hand-holding. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't love, he swears. He wants you to be here, but he didn't want you near. "I need to get back to work." Xiao muttered as you hold his hand and pulled him out of the tattoo shop. His heart jumped in his chest while he didn't have the courage to look up at you. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ It might be closer to despair.