Chapter Text
You'd met Lan Zhan in a yoga class held at one of your school's many dance rooms. Your friend had recommended the class when they noticed how stressed you'd been, and with some teasing about the stoic but handsome instructor, you begrudgingly agreed.
The man in question is a fellow student at the University and the group's instructor, and it was no wonder why. His movements were as fluid and smooth as a winding river, twisting and turning in the right way to achieve perfect posture in any pose he held. Even just his warm ups look graceful, and a twinge of jealousy and admiration go through you at the same time. Maybe someday you'll be able to match the level of fluidity and flow he's got going on with some dedication and patience. Or maybe not, depending on how well the class goes, you always had problems committing to plans long term if you didn't enjoy something.
The second thing you notice is the wall behind the instructor. It's lined floor to ceiling with long panels of mirrors, great for watching yourself trying and failing to get into position, you find, a variety of bodies around you attempting the same thing with varying degrees of success.
Halfway through the class you're already tired. You expected yoga to be relaxing like it's shown in advertisements and movies, but Lan Zhan runs through the poses almost like a drill instructor, pointing out flaws and correcting positions as he walks through the room. When he gets to you, he pauses, frowning just slightly. You're in what you think is a downward dog right now, and the awkwardness of the position is not lost on you.
"Don't arch your back, that's how you get hurt. Keep it straight, don't put too much weight towards your front or your arms will get tired too quickly." He says and you immediately try and correct yourself.
It feels better as soon as you start to change your stance, and when you shift some of your weight to your legs instead of weighing down your front, it feels a lot less straining on your arms to hold the pose. You look up to thank him but he's already moving onto the next person, disappointment making itself known but you quickly shove it down. This is a class after all, he's got other students to teach.
By the time class is done your body feels like jello, wobbly and tired but not unpleasantly so. Your joints feel suspiciously good, and you decide maybe yoga isn't so bad. You make sure to sign up for the next class, noticing only half of the previous signers are returning. It doesn't surprise you, Lan Zhan is a no nonsense instructor and that could be off putting or discouraging for some you suppose.
You don't mind much, if he's not a talker it's not your place to try and make him, you'll just do your best to be a good student and keep pace with everyone.
By the end of the first month there's only 8 of you left. There's a guy you've learned is named Nie Huaisang, and a woman named Jiang Yanli, who's a sister of a friend of Lan Zhans apparently, as well as a few juniors who seem to idolize the stoic man. A couple new people have joined since the old have left, but they don't last more than a session or two.
Each Wednesday and Friday you find yourself looking forward to the class, grabbing your mat, the mat you bought specifically for the class after the first session, and all but speed walk down to the dance room.
Lan Zhan gives a small nod every time you enter the class, a silent greeting, and you swear you can occasionally see his lips tug up into a small smile once and a while when you greet him a little more enthusiastically than usual.
Today, however, is not one of those days. You feel awful, lack of sleep and a load of assignments are weighing you down and you're sure everyone can tell. The bags under your eyes have darkened a few shades and you only bother to shove your hair in a low, messy ponytail today.
Lan Zhan stops you at the door, you're one of the last people to come in it seems. You're not sure what you expect, maybe him telling you you shouldn't be there, or a scolding for not getting enough rest, but he surprises you a bit.
"You're allowed to rest if you need to." He looks concerned, studying your tired expression as you sigh. You just nod and offer a small smile. He lets go of your arm and nods to your spot. "If you believe you can keep pace without hurting yourself, you're welcome to come in, but don't push yourself too hard."
"I need this." You say it without thinking and it catches him by surprise. Hesitantly he nods, stepping aside to let you in, a faint smile flashing across his lips before he schools his expression once more.
You manage to keep up well enough throughout the class, but you're slacking a little, you know you are, and Lan Zhan seems to notice. He calls the next position and you get into pace, you're not as limber as you usually are, but he doesn't comment, only makes his rounds and corrects the mistakes he sees.
"Remember why you're doing this." He quietly reminds you when he gets to your mat, and it's the exact boost you need. You're doing this for you, mostly, and you remind yourself that. This is discipline and strength, doing what you should even when you don't want to, even when you're tired. You started going to please your friends' nosey suggestions, and maybe to watch the pretty instructor move around and flex, but these classes now? This was for you.
He cracks a little smile and moves back to the front of the room, watching everyone go through the set of movements he'd taught the week prior. The rest of the class you'd put in your best, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Lan Zhan talks with a few students as they leave and you stop by him at the door on your way out, the last to leave. He nods his head in greeting.
"You did well today."
"Did I? I think the second half was a lot better than the first.."
"Both were good. You did what you needed to in the beginning, simply because you needed to. Sometimes that's all we can do, push through. Other times, all we need is extra encouragement to do our best. That's why I said what I did, all you needed was a small push." He reasons and you can't help but grin back at him.
"Ah Lan Zhan, it's because I have such a thoughtful teacher I'm able to succeed like this, really." You reason with a soft laugh and his ears tint ever so slightly. You can't help but smile at that, tilting your head. "Do you mind if I ask how you do it? Show up each time and teach us every time?"
Lan Zhan seems to consider for a moment, thinking it over before he answers you.
"Sometimes I don't feel like practicing or teaching, some days I simply don't have the energy or I'm tired or I ache, but seeing all of you eager and ready to practice is all of the motivation I need. If you can all come in day after day week after week ready to learn from me, who am I to deny you and take the easy way out myself?" He reasons and you're silent for a moment. The idea of Lan Zhan, stoic and perfect, drawing inspiration from you and the others warms your cheeks and you feel a smile tugging at your lips once more.
"I never would have expected that Lan Zhan, thank you for telling me. It's been a rough few days, but this class really does just help ease all of my tensions, it's a wonder really." You admit with a laugh and he nods.
"Mine as well." He agrees, and you don't want the conversation to end but you've got to do some light grocery shopping for your dorm fridge, and you're sure he probably has things to do after class as well.
Lan Zhan seems to think the same thing, bowing his head as he picks his bag up from the floor. "It was nice talking." He remembers a thought as you head for the door, the instructor hesitating for a moment before speaking. "If you have a moment-" Lan Zhan says, and you immediately stop, turning around with a quick nod and smile.
"Mm, I do, is there something wrong?" You ask and he shakes his head.
"No. I was.." He pauses, trying to think of the right words, eventually just deciding it was better to say something than have you stand there waiting. "I have a partner," He starts, immediately cringing internally at the blunt statement and the way you blink and almost deflate slightly. "Wei Wuxian. He.. Encouraged me to ask if you would like to get coffee, sometime." he notes, expression fairly neutral, though you can guess he's almost nervous or embarrassed by the way he's gripping his bags straps a little tighter, or by the way his ears are shaded a soft rosy pink.
"I-" You're not entirely sure /what/ to say at first, your handsome yoga instructor, who was apparently spoken for, was asking you out on what sounded an awful lot like a partner approved date. "You, um, you're sure he's alright with this..?" You ask, and Lan Zhan nods a little.
"Wei Wuxian is supportive of my choices, yes. He.. Believes I need to be more open and social with those I find interest in.." He admits hesitantly, and your cheeks warm a little at the words. "I understand if this makes you uncomfortable, or you don't wish to speak outside of class-"
"No- No it's alright!" You assure quickly, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. "It's alright, I just wanted to make sure it was fine with your partner!" You assure, offering a reassuring smile to the flustered man. "You're not just looking for a third to change things up, are you..?" You ask warily, and Lan Zhan blinks for a moment before the implications set in and his ears go red.
"No-" He says quickly, brows pinching together for a second. "No, Wei Wuxian and I aren't just looking for something like that." He assures. "I assure you, my intentions asking you out to coffee are simply to get to know you. We see each other each week, but I don't know anything about you, and given the chance I would like to learn more." Lan Zhan says, expression close to its normal neutrality with a dash of nervousness in his eyes. You're not sure he's ever had this conversation before, given his reactions, and you smile a little at that.
"Alright, I'd like that, then." You agree after a moment and he seems to relax a little. "Do you want to exchange numbers? You can text me whenever you're ready to get coffee, if that works for you?" You offer and he nods so you fish your phone from your bag and create a new contact for him. Lan Zhan handles the device carefully as he types in his name and information, passing you back the device. When you send a quick 'hello' message he pulls his own phone out to make sure it goes through, nodding his approval when it pops up on his screen. "All set then," You note with a smile, and Lan Zhan nods once more. "I'll see you soon then, Lan Zhan, it was nice talking!" You beam at him before the two of you are going your separate ways, you to your apartment and Lan Zhan to his and Wei Wuxian's.