The Story of Their Distance (mdzs fanfiction)

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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and art used in the story. AU and OOC

5 years on the Celestial Moutain (1 year in the Cultivation Realm)

Since he reunited with Wens, Wei Ying opened up more to his small circle of friends. He would spend every night drinking with Hua Cheng in Paradise Manor or in his cottage. Visit Wen Qing several times a week and talk with her about his past. He started to understand things that escaped him back then. It wasn't easy, but he managed to put everything behind him. He stopped considering Jiangs as his family. After all, they saw him only as a shield and bodyguard for their children. They tied him down, convincing him that he needed to pay the debt for taking him in. Qing-Jie explained to him that family doesn't work this way. Comparing how Wens treated him, he truly started believing her and let go. It was liberating.

In the meantime, his stoic and cold personality started coming out more. His crimson red eyes turned into bottomless pools of emptiness. Even his smile looked more like a devilish smirk than a genuine smile. He seemed content with his life and enjoyed it in his own way despite appearing as an emotionless person. Only Wen Qing and Hua Cheng could enjoy Wei Ying's slightly more playful nature. Maybe because they genuinely could understand him?

During the last couple of years, Wuxian focused on teaching his five young students. For now, they concentrated on building their stamina and character through games. He enjoyed their company, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to get close to them. Wei Ying cared about them like a good teacher would, but he did not have any emotional attachment. They had a respectful teacher-student relationship but nothing more.

Seemed like Wei Ying let go of the past, but it left him impossible to heal scars. He was still committed to his promise to protect the innocent. People from Lingjian village instantly accepted him and always treated him with the utmost respect. Yet, he kept everyone at a polite distance. He surrounded himself with unpenetrable walls. Only two were allowed inside. Suibian and Chenqing started to spend most of the time on the Celestial Moutain or travelling beside their Master. Even if they weren't visible, everyone could feel their presence. They indeed became his sword and shield. Baoshan Sanren, Hua Cheng, Wen Qing and Ju Suyin were close to him, but no one could compete with the Spirits. Everyone agreed they were his faithful reflection. Chenqing carried his kindness and calmness, while Subian had nonchalance and seriousness. They both reflected his dangerous and threatening side.

Wei Ying also started teaching Ju Suyin a few things from demonic cultivation she could apply using spiritual energy, like empathy. As a result, she saw many of his memories. Her anger towards Lan Wangji grew tenfold. She was torn between helping Wei Ying to get closure or convincing him to hate Lan Wangji. In the end, she chose the healthiest option for her friend.

"Why not visit him? Maybe things are different than you think?"

Wei Ying shook his head and continued to drink silently.

"Are you sure you want for it to end like this?"

"I don't but me and him... it was a dream, and I'm done dreaming."

Ju Suyin pulled him closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. "A-Ying... I can't watch you so heartbroken. It's not fair... you deserve to be happy. You sacrificed so much for others; you have the right to be selfish."

"Lan Zhan... made his choice. I can't fight with his rules... For him, it was nothing but a few drunk moments. Probably just the way to release frustration. It was my fault for seeing it as something more. For believing him. He was drunk...."

"It doesn't explain anything!" she yelled angrily. "Drunk or not, Lan Wangji was playing with your feelings. Consciously or not, he is the one to blame."