Who You Are

Chapter 49 - THAT Kind of Like

Wei Wuxian stumbled into Lotus Pier, liquor in hand, his dark circles stretched for miles and his sorrowful eyes were framed with red. He looked exhausted in more ways than one, as he walked up the steps and spotted his brother cleaning his blade.

How can I escape this?

What used to be, how can I fix this?

How can I make this light and funny?

How do I escape?

Jiang Cheng glared at him, turning away, not even bothering to look when he was offered liquor, "Piss off."

Wei Ying sighed, heart aching, eyes burning with exhaustion, he plopped down on the steps beside his brother, "Why are you scrubbing your sword all day for?"

Jiang Cheng scoffed, "Where is yours? When did you last clean it?"

Wei Ying's face fell, bitter and depressed, he took another swig of liquor, "I left it in my room, once a month should do." He shrugged.

Jiang Cheng scoffed, standing to loom over him, "Never carrying your sword and drinking in a tavern all day, one would think Lotus Pier is the inn you rest in when you're drunk enough!" He scolded, then tried to walk away.

...

Jiang Cheng watching grit his teeth, 'I am a fool! He is clearly not okay and I just blasted him with more misery and pain.'

"A'Cheng!" Jiang Fengmian scolded.

Jiang Cheng just slid further down in his seat, embarrassed of his behavior towards Wei Wuxian.

...

Wei Ying winced, "Ah! Jiang Cheng don't be mad I-"

"Go away!" Jiang Cheng shoved him, sending him barreling to the floor, vision blurred and ears ringing from the use of spiritual energy.

...

"Jiang Wanyin!" Lan Wangji scolded.

Yanli sighed, "A-Cheng..." She admonished lightly, this isn't new behaviour caused by the war, he's been doing this since forever.

Jiang Cheng gulped quiltily, continuing to watch.

Wei Wuxian wasn't phased. He just didn't care. All except for his Shijie, his feelings for the Jiangs are numb, or no longer there. He knows how horrible they are. Forgiving them isn't something he was going to do any time soon...he found himself forgiving the Lans easier though. He didn't know why, but he feels like he could forgive them...he is even still willing to give Lan Qiren a chance. He knows that, even if the old man hates him, that someone deep down, he has a soft spot for him.

...

The look on Wei Ying's face was heartbreaking, in shock that he'd fallen from such a weak push, his cheeks turned redder and eyes turned shinier as he tried to stop his head from spinning.

Clan-Leader-Jiang frowned, clearly confused himself, "Are you okay?" He asked, "Too drunk to manage your spiritual energy? Look at yourself."

Wei Ying gulped.

"Saying something about rebuilding Lotus Pier with me," Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, but then offered his hand.

Wei Ying flinched, "Stay away!" He pleaded, putting his flute between them as his head continued to spin.

Jiang Cheng was in shock now, utterly confused.

"What do you mean? Do you want a fight?" Wei Ying lowered Chenqing, pushing down the urge to sigh as his body shook from the impact, "I'm tired..." He murmured, eyes fluttering as he got up and stumbled out of the room, almost fainting, "We can fight tomorrow, I'm going to bed..."