prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

Comments

[fennu]

[ Silence.

A long silence.

Then - ]

You said -

[ And then silence. ]

[suibian]

i know. i owe jiang cheng many apologies but my heart is still yours

[fennu]

Why are you saying this now? Idiot!

[suibian]

should i have said it earlier? or should i have never said it at all?

[fennu]

Both! Neither!

[suibian]

i'm sorry

[fennu]

Are you? Really?

[suibian]

yes. i know lotus pier isn't my home anymore but if i could have jiang cheng even like this, i would be happy

[fennu]

Then why do you stay so far away?

[suibian]

[ that actually gives wei wuxian pause so give him a long moment before — ]

i thought i wasn't welcome in yunmeng?

[fennu]

When has that stopped you before?

[suibian]

jiang cheng. if you're being honest, i'll come home right now

[fennu]

When have I been a liar?!

[suibian]

i didn't say you were a liar. i just wasn't sure if you really meant it

[fennu]

Isn't that the same thing?

[suibian]

no. you say things you don't mean all the time, it does not mean you're a liar. you just... talk without thinking

come on, this isn't new information, jiang cheng

[fennu]

You would've known, before. It hasn't been that long.

[suibian]

i'm sorry. i guess we've both changed a little. i don't mean to stay away

[fennu]

But you do. You have.

[suibian]

i'll come home, jiang cheng. okay? just give me a few days to make the trip

[fennu]

Fine. A few days.

[suibian]

[ He doesn't reply to that, just lets them both rest instead.

But the next morning, Jiang Cheng will receive a picture. It's the back of Little Apple's head from the position of the rider, clearly indicating that Wei Wuxian is back on the road.

He is coming home. ]

[fennu]

[ There's no reply, of course.

Seeing is believing.

But, when Wei Wuxian approaches the pier, approaches Yunmeng, there are people waiting, some of their disciples watching, greeting him with their bows and a small smile. ]

[suibian]

[ ... This is definitely different than the last time he was in Yunmeng, the hostility no longer present and oppressing. He's left Little Apple in the Jiang Clan stables, traveling the rest of the way by foot to Lotus Pier official.

It's only when he's outside the doors that he becomes frozen and stiff. What's the saying again? The closer you are to home after a long absence, the more nervous you become. He knows he's welcome, that Jiang Cheng said he could come home, that Jiang Cheng wanted him home — but now that he's here, he feels...

A meow nearby startles him as a stray cat slips by, rubbing up against his ankles before taking off without any preamble. Wei Wuxian takes a breath and opens the door, stepping through the gates. He doesn't know where Jiang Cheng is, doesn't know if he'll seek him out first so he just. Starts walking, tentatively reacquainting himself with his old home. ]

[fennu]

[ Jiang Cheng has been busy all day.

The main offices are empty, as Wei Wuxian steps into them, and they remain so for another hour at least. There might be a desire to see his once brother, might have a wish to ensure the safety of his clan, but being the leader of the clan comes first. Jiang Wanyin has a reputation for harshness, for being demanding, for being too like his mother, but that has done his Sect well.

They have grown strong under his care, and he will continue to help them grow. His disciples understand his ways, and fuss over him as much as he fusses over them.

Eventually, he comes back to his offices, looking more tired than perhaps he ought to, but not a hair out of place to show how busy he had been. Servants are bringing in food, and they're savvy enough to bring another plate for Wei Wuxian, as well.

Slowly, eyes flicking to his brother, Jiang Cheng sits. ]

Hurry.