At some point, people congratulate Jin Ling for avenging his parents.
āItās destiny,ā the adults declare, like Jin Ling was born for the sole purpose of plunging a sword through Wei Wuxianās body. For a while, he had thought that too.
āIām proud of you,ā his great uncle says. Or is that his grandfatherās brother? His fatherās second cousin twice removed?
āI thought you were just a spoiled brat, but youāve got balls,ā a boy says, one of Jin Chan's goons. Some other guys follow and pile up the praise like they hadnāt all just ganged up on him earlier at the banquet.
Thereās alcohol passed around because the kids aren't allowed to join the search parties and they have nothing better to do. They toast him for his great conquest and righteous retribution, parroting back whatever they heard the adults spouting before. The wine tastes worse than muddy lake water, but it doesnāt really matter. Theyāre always celebrating something here.
The mistress of Koi Tower lies dead in the treasure room, her husband in tears, but people are more concerned about making sure the Yiling Laozu stays dead.
Jin Ling is a mess, sore from getting thrown on his ass just hours ago, from learning how to throw other people on their asses with a shift of his weight. It was worth the pain. The withering joy of someone fighting by his side still flutters, spastically, in the pit of his stomach like butterflies doused in cold rain.
Wei Wuxian's blood is still drying on his robes. He had been so surprised that Jin Ling would attack him.
But what did he expect? He killed Jin Lingās parents. He was a traitor. He lied and he had it coming and Jin Ling can't take it back. Won't take it back. He deserved it and Jin Ling was only doing the right thing so he's got no right to resent him. He's got no right to be mad, isn't allowed to be mad can't be mad please don't be madā
Wei Wuxian must hate him now. Jin Ling might as well have stabbed him in the back.
His little uncle would be disappointed that he didn't finish the job.
His uncle would be enraged that he dared to regret it.
His parents would be disgusted that he hopes their murderer survives.
Thereās an apology pressing hard against his lungs, bloated with the tears Wei Wuxian said he would shed one day. He doesnāt know who itās supposed to go to. Wei Wuxian never told him what he should do about it.
His uncle would tell him to figure it out on his own because he's not a little brat anymore. He should get started on that.
A servant places a tray of snacks in front of him and he nods without looking up, hiding in the squirming dance of lights in his lake water wine, waiting for them to settle. He doesnāt see himself in the reflection.
slow burn or love at first sight // fake dating or secret dating // enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers // thereās only one bed or long-distance correspondence // hurt/comfort or amnesia // fantasy au or modern au // mutual pining or domestic bliss // smut or fluff // canon-compliant or fix-it // reincarnation or character death // one-shot or multi-chapter // kid fic or road trip fic // arranged marriage or accidental marriage // high school romances or middle-aged romances // time travel or isolated together // neighbours or roommates // sci-fi au or magic au // body swap or genderbent // angst or crack // apocalyptic or mundaneĀ
slow burn or love at first sight // fake dating or secret dating // enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers // thereās only one bed or long-distance correspondence // hurt/comfort or amnesia // fantasy au or modern au // mutual pining or domestic bliss // smut or fluff // canon-compliant or fix-it // reincarnation or character death // one-shot or multi-chapter // kid fic or road trip fic // arranged marriage or accidental marriage // high school romances or middle-aged romances // time travel or isolated together // neighbours or roommates // sci-fi au or magic au // body swap or genderbent // angst or crack // apocalyptic or mundaneĀ
Tagging anyone who wants to do it! It's been a while since I've really gone on Tumblr and idk who's still around ;;;
blakekathryn
discoholicmusic
germansingergirl
stormborns
