Dancing With Your Hands Tied (LXC x reader)

Heavy heart goodbyes and almost ascension

"I can't do this fucking shit!" You whisper yelled. Your hands were shaking and your head felt heavy. From all the blood rush and dizziness that followed, you sure were going to pass out soon.

"Just- for a little while. Almost there." Lan Xichen grunted. The cold air of gusu had nothing on how sweaty you both were.

"You sure would say that." Even in this position you rolled your eyes, "Been done this over many times Huh." Sarcasm. Another harsh sound escaped you. "Should have considered the fact that it's my first time."

"I assure you I haven't had experience beforehand." With only last stroke of brush to complete his character, he got on his knees from the handstand, "Weren't you in something like gymnastics? Come on, just last one left." He encouraged

"Sure." You managed to write in worst of calligraphy possible before letting go of the stance. Thanking the heaven for this to end and catching your breath.

Well, as much as the first 3 lines have deceived readers, you were facing punishment. After lot of unsuccessful attempts of making the emergency beacon, you finally managed to get close to it. You made two identical jade tassel for trial. On your first trial it worked and your excitement was beyond measure.

"Holy fucking shit!" You shouted in the library pavilion. Already broken 2 rules, you rushed to Lan Xichen. He was few shelves away in library pavilion. You asked him to check for range. He naturally agreed. But what went wrong is that the second try wasn't the charm. The little jade tassel exploded due to overwork. You two were caught causing havoc, cursing, and loud noise (the last 2 were for you.) Lan Qiren punished you both as to set example that not even clear slate disciples or heir of sect is exceptional.

Back to present, the punishment left your arms sour and abdomen jiggly. Each breath felt like blessing. No doubt Lan Wangji can Wei Ying promise to do it everyday in the novel. The secret of Lan strength and stamina...Handstands!

"I feel like I have ascended!" You huffed, "this is exactly how it feels." Adjusting your robes to let the air in and cool your sweaty torso.

Xichen chuckled, "and the god you know told you that?" He was clearly mocking you. He was doing much better than you were.. obviously.

"Yep." The confidence! Where was this during school presentations? Oh, it was always there. Buffmaster snake who?

"That confidence makes me think that it's the truth." You were walking to the library again, so you can work on your hopeless invention.

"Xichen, always remember," you closed your eyes and raised your finger, like an old monk, "If you can't move them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bullshit."

When you saw his face, it was mixture of amusement, surprise and surely suppressed laughter. After a moment he tilted his head back and laughed. Wow, that was for sure a melody. You found yourself unconsciously leaning in towards him. Your shoulder bumped against his arm and seem like he doesn't mind.

"That was sure amazing." He wiped tear from his eye. You grinned and shrugged as to say, "I am just amazing myself."

In span of this time, you have seen the security of cloud recesses getting stronger and increment in the hiding spots. Qingheng Jun often asked you simple questions, you just have to nod or shake head. Even tho this thing is clear, your heart is at unrest. The Jiang clan, the wens after the war, Yanli, Wen Qing, Wen Ning! The thought haunts you at the deepest.

One glance at the scar on your palm and you is reminded of how painful it was. But that won't stop you from speaking on right time.