#undyingloyal

               「 ✥ 」A soft sigh would fall from his lips as he examined the other’s injury, fingertips being light as a feather as they pressed against the still intact skin surrounding the wound. Pulling away, he reached into his satchel, taking out a small piece of cloth, a salve and a few bandages. Green eyes would gaze back toward Wen Ning once he spoke again, only for Wen JinYu to smile softly. Oh how he knew that so well. But he also knew that Wen Qing would react like that because she cared very deeply for her younger brother.

           “I’m sure she’ll be a bit worried about what happened once she sees these bandages on you, too.” He spoke as he placed down the bandages on the side so that he could open the bottle. “Though.. You are lucky that it’s only scrape and not a broken leg. You would never hear the end of that one..” He chuckled softly as he pressed the cloth against the opening of the salve bottle, turning it so that some could be applied upon it before setting it down. After a moment, the older boy would gently pat the injured area- slowly, just to make sure it didn’t sting too much- before putting the piece of cloth down so that he could bandage it up. 

The night welcomed them with a soothing chillness. In the past, Wei Wuxian was never the sort to sit still and simmer. As a child, he had often slipped into the more rowdy places in town---the throngs in taphouses and taverns, the crowds that gathered on the streets to form songs and poetries. He could never stand the quietness that lingered in libraries and schools that seemed to drive him crazy whenever he remained there for too long than necessary. But now, he felt like all he wanted was peace and quiet. To be away from the gossips polluting the air with things he did and things he never did.

     He threw a rock into the lake as his legs dangled from the edge of the pier. Wen Ning’s words were always so pessimistic, he thought, despite knowing the other boy having no ill-wrought intentions to them.  ❝Wen Ning,❞ he began,  ❝If the spirits are angry, the first one they would send a thunder to strike down should be me. Hahahaha...❞ he laughed an empty laugh,  ❝I’m the one who caused their destruction, after all, it’s not your fault.❞ and it never was. So please don’t blame yourself anymore. He knew it. From the beginning, he only wanted Wen Ning to reunite with his family. He hadn’t considered what would come next, or what would ensue if Wen Ning had lost control and became no different from a common fierce corpse.

     ❝It’s already been so many years. What is done is done. I have to admit, I don’t regret what I’ve done, no matter what it cost you... but right now, I really hope you can enjoy your life.❞ Of course, he knew that he had no right to say those words. He couldn’t offer Wen Ning the happiness he wanted. He couldn’t offer himself the peace and quiet he himself wanted.