inbox (penance)

[weiward]

if he doesn't answer, he's probably at the bar.
(he's probably at the bar.)

Comments

[taciturnly]

( have they. he can’t entirely agree, when he knows he could and should have done more. when he knows exactly where he belongs now, and he likes to think he would have defended him, them, and maybe found another home, farther away. but he doesn’t argue. wei wuxian’s stance on this particular subject has always been clear, and though it never fails to sharpen the ache between his ribs, all he can do is make amends, and forever stand by him.

which, all in all, really shouldn’t be that difficult, considering how effortlessly they both found each other’s arms.

his gaze brightens just so at the sound of wei wuxian’s laughter, always a balm on his wounds. one good thing did come out of his fate, however much he would have rather it happened differently. and his name speaks volume of lan wangji’s heartsickness. ) Have you acquainted yourself with Sizhui?

[weiward]

[wei wuxian nods, a fond smile crossing his lips at the boy's name, even if it isn't the name he knew him by.]

Who would've guessed that such a mischievous boy would grow into such a well-behaved junior. [and he knows that he has lan wangji to thank for that, just as he has him to think for sizhui's life in general. he props himself up a little to look down into lan zhan's face.] I hope you didn't spoil him too much. Children don't always need things just because they want them. And you were always weak for him, Lan Zhan. I do remember that much.

[but...whatever he did or didn't do, he obviously did a good job. wei wuxian resettles, wiggling against him.]

He'll be good company for Jin Ling. And probably a good influence too.

[taciturnly]

The same who could never have imagined Hanguang-jun falling for Yiling Lǎozǔ.

( including wei wuxian, probably, and yet. sizhui was always good, and in more ways than one, he reminds of wei wuxian, a mischievous nature void of malice, his heart on his sleeve. the same fondness shines in his eyes, veiled by a faint shadow of regret. ) Most of our time spent together, I can’t recall. ( so he doesn’t know whether he spoiled him, but with the vague hint of bashful guilt in the way his gaze drops, he can easily guess that he probably did.

but then another name distracts him. ) Jin Ling? ( eyebrows pinched, he looks right back up. ) Here? Grown? ( why would the boy of lady jiang of all people require a good influence. unless………..??? )

[weiward]

Well, he obviously loves you.

[another thing that he shares in common with wei wuxian, and the only thing that matters. he can tell by the way the boy speaks of it, always respectful but from a place of fondness rather than fear.

wei wuxian blinks at the reaction to his nephew's name, eyebrows rising as he nods his head.]

About the same age as Sizhui. I gathered that they came here together the same way that we did.

[and he's about to get comfortable again, eyes closing and a smile on his lips.

until his eyes open right back up again. something about that is suddenly a little unsettling to him too.]

[taciturnly]

( lan wangji inwardly beams at that, regardless of the gap in their respective timelines. sizhui is much older than he should be, though lan wangji looks at him and sees a-yuan still, the boy he was so desperate to keep alive. so much of what wei wuxian worked so hard for died with him, but sizhui thrived, and grew into a man lan wangji is surprisingly proud of, however little he knows of their lives intertwined.

it’s the expression slowly taking shape on wei wuxian’s face that worries him, a sudden realization, and he intently searches those beautiful eyes of his. ) Wei Ying. ( together, he says. is jin ling well-behaved?? ) What is it?

[weiward]

Ah, it's nothing. Nothing.

[his akward little laugh suggests that it's something. he doesn't want to lie to lan wangji, especially not after what their words and actions have set into motion. even a lie by omission, information withheld, sits uncomfortably within him.

he's already warned jin ling that discussions will need to be had with hanguang-jun if things progress any further. but as his uncle, does some of the responsibility fall on his shoulders too?]

It's just...Jin Ling has confessed to harboring...certain feelings. Possibly. But Lan Zhan, they're both so young, and being here is enough to confuse anyone! I'm sure it's just that Sizhui presence is a comfort, that's all.

[taciturnly]

( lying should be second nature for the infamous yiling patriarch. it isn’t. minus the occasional white lie, wei wuxian has always been relatively terrible at hiding the truth, but this truth holds the same dissonant notes of a broken string. )

Wei Ying. ( young? confused? lan wangji stiffens, eyes flashing with a hint of incredulity that knots his stomach and purses his lips a little uneasy. he does trust wei wuxian’s heart with his life, but... ) I am not confused. ( are they not just as young? in hell, a place where warmth, of all things, has only been found in each other’s arms? trying to reassure himself has only worried him, and lan wangji frowns a little disgruntled, a question on his tongue. is wei wuxian confused? instead he asks; ) Jin Rulan... Was he raised a decent gentleman?

[weiward]

[when you're the yiling patriarch, nothing confuses people more than telling them the truth, which they'll alter anyway to suit their own narrative. but lan wangji doesn't sound confused, a fact confirmed a moment later which buys no time for either him or his nephew.]

Ah, Jin Ling is-

[much like sizhui, wei wuxian is still getting to know the boy. so what can he really say about him at this point? he's got strong lungs?]

I'm sure Jiang Cheng did his best! But...he lost both of his parents. Lan Zhan, you know that. Still, he is Shijie's son! If he has even an ounce of her goodness in him, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about.