prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

Comments

[lanclan]

Causing it?

[ The misery in his chest that binds his organs to one place and won't let him leave, vibrating them in panic when he considers it? ]

When did it end?

[fennu]

Do you think it will ever end if you sit in here like this?

[ The pieces are coming together now. An unending misery… Jiang Cheng knows who to fault for this particular thing, and it makes him all the more annoyed. ]

You don’t deserve this kind of punishment.

[lanclan]

Arguably, I have suffered the least of anyone. I have my family, my home was rebuilt, and I have good friends to tell me when I am being unreasonable.

[ The latter statement comes with a wry, small smile. A-Yao may as well have take a scythe and gutted Xichen, after using and manipulating him for years, taking him for a fool. Making him care. Still, Jiang Cheng doesn't think him a totally useless fool incapable of seeing through lies and protecting his loved ones (which he was). ]

Even a used rag can still clean a small spot, if it doesn't reach too far.

[fennu]

That’s what you are, is it? A used rag?

[ Jiang Cheng’s laugh is a little hoarse this time.

The idea of Xichen being anything like that is… Baffling to him. He’s a Sect Leader that Jiang Cheng has looked up to for many years, and what Jin Guangyao has done to him has torn him to shreds. He shakes his head, trying to muzzle his ire even a little, but it’s difficult. ]

That’s stupid. Plain stupid, Lan Xichen.

[ Perhaps too difficult. ]

[lanclan]

Mn. [ The similarities between brothers is more apparent the quieter Xichen gets, though he still wears a soft smile. ] It is. I know it is. My good friend Jiang-zongzhu speaks the truth, as I hope he always will.

But I still ...

[ His lips part as he tries to explain, eyes lowering to where his fingers have tightened in the sleeves of his robes to consciously relax them. With a sigh, Xichen looks askance to a window decorated in cranes, and he does long to be better again. Outside these walls, safe though they are because he can control everything within them. ]

I would like to see Lotus Pier in the summer very much.

[fennu]

I’m not a liar. That’s one thing no one can claim me to be.

[ Not these days, at least, even if he might dance around some topics. Wei Wuxian is the most paramount of those topics, something he will grit his teeth over until the end of his days, however long that might be.

Shaking his head, he glares at the wall, trying to redirect his ire just a little. ]

Then come and see it. Are you going to refuse an invitation from me?

[lanclan]

You?

[ His gaze flicks back up, holding Jiang Cheng's. Xichen's former student has become a strong-minded, kind man, the kind of Sect Leader any clan would be proud to have. His respect for how hard Jiang Cheng fights for fairness and transparency has Xichen already feeling hopeful about visiting Yunmeng to see him, because if he could know his friend was nearby ... that isn't so scary a notion. Not like metaphorically stepping into the darkness to be grabbed at by unsavoury hands; there would be clarity.

His frown eases, lips pressing into an amused line for a moment as he debates what he next says and whether it's too forward. ]

I think the only person I could not refuse an invitation from is Wanyin.

[ He waits (a little nervously, inwardly) patiently to see the reaction his soft address prompts, wanting to hear Xichen back. ]

[fennu]

Good.

[ The change in address is notable, and for a moment he's a little embarrassed, if only because he's quite sure he doesn't deserve the familiarity after how strict and... Mean he has been, but perhaps they're words that Lan Xichen needed to hear. He doubts anyone in Gusu Lan is going to be quite as brusque towards him, given his status.

This may be something only another follow sect leader can offer. ]

You should consider this a formal invitation, Xichen. Yunmeng would be glad to host you.

[ Yes, now he's embarrassed. ]

[lanclan]

[ He inclines his head with a pleased smile. ]

I shall endeavour to be more presentable by then.

[ Outwardly he can wear his normal clothes, yet inside he fears he will crumble. At least in Lotus Pier he can stay aside from strangers as an honoured guest ... and the students might love the opportunity to return. They would flock him like ducklings if he needed to go anywhere public, that's for certain.

It could work. ]

What would we do there, if it's to be a social visit?

[fennu]

Yunmeng would expect nothing less.

[ It seems a simple solution for Jiang Cheng. If Lan Xichen needs to tuck himself away for a while to adjust then he can stay in the main household for a while, as long as he doesn't mind Jiang Cheng having to leave to carry out his duties. The idea of all the work waiting for him when he gets home is... Disquieting.

He finally goes back to his food, completely ignoring the usual measure of silence while eating, because he isn't a Lan and he has a lot to say. ]

We can look at the river, of course, and see how the lotus are growing, and visit the markets to see what is being sold and if the merchants need anything from the Clan to help support them.

[lanclan]

[ Going on the river and seeing the lotus forests there sounds like fun, a secluded little adventure. It's all very kind of Jiang Cheng. ]

Wanyin, I feel conscious of my own selfishness in wanting your company without leaving the comfort of my own home. It was thoughtless of me and an inconvenience to you, as much as the invitation is genuine. As a result, please feel free to ask me whatever you wish and I will be honest in all my replies. If I can assist in anything, whether for Yunmeng or otherwise, I will do my best.

[ If his bones could align and make him feel more like himself while trying to be a good friend, he does. ]

[fennu]

[ It's one of the best things about Yunmeng, and he'd do whatever it took to make his home sound good. He loves it, more than almost anything in the world, and he's proud of how far they've come since the war. ]

Huh?

[ Jiang Cheng shakes his head, waving a hand just a little, dismissive. ]

Sometimes we need someone to tell us we're being stupid before we can figure it out ourselves, Xichen. It doesn't mean you owe me anything now.

[lanclan]

You are too generous with me.

[ And Xichen is overly fond of Jiang Cheng tonight, tilting his head as if to chide him for being too nice. ]

[fennu]

It's not kind, it's honest. They're different things.

[ And he's getting weirdly flustered. ]

[lanclan]

They can be the same difference, sometimes.

[ Word games! Welcome to Gusu where monk descendants make your head hurt. ]

[fennu]

[ His expression twists a little. This isn't his area of expertise. ]

Fine. I'll accept it for now.

[lanclan]

Has no one been kind and honest with you as of late, Wanyin?

[ Perhaps, he wonders, that is why Jiang Cheng wants a wife. To rely on somebody. ]

[fennu]

People are rarely either with a Sect Leader, Xichen, unless they want something.

[ He might be a touch jaded. ]

[lanclan]

... You are not wrong.

[ He can't quite hide his wince. ]

[fennu]

It's why I appreciate honesty for the sake of it.

[ Which is why he's fond of Xichen - one of the reasons why. ]

I don't take well to lies.

[lanclan]

If all the roads in the world were glass underfoot, Wanyin would be rock.

[ Pulling himself out of shadowy thoughts to do with being a used Sect Leader and little more, his eyes crinkle as he gently teases, ]

Though you look significantly better than any well-worn road.

[fennu]

I will take that as the compliment it is due to be.

[ Given his history, it's likely not a surprise that lying grates on him, especially with what has been hidden from him by Wei Wuxian, and he tries to hide how the compliment has affected him by turning to look at some of the decoration. ]

I could say the same in return, but comparing Xichen to rocks seems improper.

[lanclan]

[ That makes him laugh for the first time, ducking his chin to hide it. ]

I would like to be a rock or the earth, to listen and lie still. Once I thought of myself as water, now I am more of a glacier and must ask your patience in the future.

[fennu]

A glacier is handsome enough. It can suit you, for now.

[ Which he hopes is taken as the compliment it is intended. ]

[lanclan]

[ The slow blink that Jiang Cheng receives lingers. ]

For now? What is more handsome than a glacier? Hmm. [ He is going to visibly put thought into this and tap his lips. ] I will have to become snow and scatter myself. That sounds painful!