(no subject)

[weiward]

[wei wuxian's memory can't be trusted. that's why everyone always laughed when he told them the story - more frequently during his childhood, less and less during his teenage years. until finally, just after his twentieth year, he actually did start to forget. but every now and then, a fragment of a dream brings it all back again.

he was six years old, newly arrived to lotus pier and not the swimmer that the other boys were. but attempt the impossible - wei ying embraced the motto of his new home and his new family wholeheartedly. he ran carelessly along the docks, jumping as far out into the water as he could.

too far. a reckless little boy didn't have to know the meaning of those words to suffer the consequences. the water was deep, and the current strong. drowning felt a lot like falling, with something dark and cold waiting for him at the bottom.

and then he was rising again, and he felt warm sun on his face and fresh air that wouldn't fit in his desperate lungs. wei wuxian remembers opening his eyes for one last look at the world, but instead saw the face of another young boy, too pretty to be human. and he'd pressed his lips against his, and suddenly he could breathe again-]

And that was my first kiss. [he sighs and lifts the jar of alcohol to his lips. beside him, jiang cheng rolls his eyes and stands up.] Ey, where are you going? I thought we were going for a late swim!

"Forget it. I can't listen to you tell that ridiculous story one more time. I thought you'd finally forgotten it! Try remembering to pick up your dirty clothes instead! Or showing up sober for archery training!"

[wei wuxian smirks at his brother's scolding tone and retreating back. he's about to follow him back inside, except-

well, he's already here. and it's still hot. so he finishes off the jar and stands up, stripping off his robes as he stares at the dark surface of the water.]