Xingyun Oneshots

120 - More Than I Bargained For

I'm back after several weeks of writer's block (shocker!)

Literally I was on vacation last month and I couldn't write ANYTHING it was awful. I was like 'What am I supposed to do on a 13 hour car ride?' (The answer was listen to music, attempt to write, and feel carsick)

Then I got a whole flood of ideas but couldn't decide which one to write so I eventually was able to stick to this one cause I wanted to publish another from Xingqiu's pov because I feel like I write more from Chongyun's pov? Lol

Anygays here we go get ready for a lot of Yang Chongyun

Martial arts novels are Xingqiu's favorite.

Well, that's no surprise - of course they're his favorite!

All the twists and turns, the high stakes, the dastardly foes and chivalric code amongst strong friendships, beautiful morals, and life lessons - what's not to love?

Currently, he's entirely enthralled in a martial arts series that he and Chongyun had just picked up our morning. Wanwen bookhouse finally (finally!) had the third installment in stock, and he determined that he needed it asap to find out what happens to the main character and his companions on their quest to save their village from near danger.

He's already made it through chapter two, reading at the speed of light while his eyes scan over the black text faster than he can bother to think about how he wishes he had handwriting as clear as printed text. One of Chongyun's hands is carefully linked through his, resting warm and comfortable against the crook of his elbow to guide him on their walk back home after training so he doesn't bump into anything.

The weather is pleasant though it wavers on the warm side, so Chongyun's parasol is open and covering them both from the sun's bright rays, the dyed tassels on the ends of the wooden structure swaying in the wind.

Yes, what a perfect day indeed!

Xingqiu keeps reading, getting to the climax of the adventure right as they're about to burst into the neighboring village's capital for the big showdown. The stage is set, the characters are growing nervous, the stakes are raised even further and tensions are high!

The main character looks to his group of companions and Xingqiu's eyes widen in intrigue as he reads his words, encouraging his friends with a long and heartfelt speech about needing to protect their home and the honor of their people.

It's so good that Xingqiu has to read it again, so entirely engrossed in the fictional world that he doesn't even realized he's stopped walking or that Chongyun is calling to him (not with much concern though, he knows Xingqiu often gets distracted while he's reading.)

Xingqiu snaps his head up after the fourth or fifth call from his best friend, tucking his thumb into the page and looking over at Chongyun.

"Why'd you stop? Did something interesting happen?" Chongyun asks, leaning in closer to peek at the cover. He's so close in fact that Xingqiu has time to note the almost whitish ends of his hair where the sun hits, the soft, wispy hairs at the back of his neck and the sharpness of his eyes under pearly white lashes. They're actually blue, but in the light they get all shimmery and soft, and...

What was he doing again?

"Oh yes, I was getting to the best part of the book - where they finally make it to the capital?" He jogs Chongyun's memory from the last time he went on a 5 hour rant about the book series (though now that he thinks about it, he thinks Chongyun may have fallen asleep in the middle of it, though he apologized profusely after waking up). "The protagonist just gave a compelling speech after his friends were feeling nervous about the outcome. It was such a powerful speech, I had to read it over again!"