To Be Together

Thoughts

Be better.

That's easier said than done. Especially for Wanning. Just because he thinks and wants to it's hard to put into practice. More so in a place where everyone has known him for his cold face. On the way back it was easy. No one knew him, so talking (even the little Wanning did) didn't have people running away. Which, in Wanning's book, is a win. But back at Shisheng Peak even if Wanning greets anyone they all run away with half assed excuses and pale faces. Wanning might as well be a ghost, haunting the peak.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Wanning knew it wasn't going to be a seamless transition but with the way things are it's going to take a long time. Though it's not as if there's a dead line. Nothing is perfected in a day. Wanning still needs to work on his thin face, his facial expression and his talking skills. So... everything. With madam Wang teaching he's gotten good at some facial expressions and talking skills, he used those and practiced at Qing Su's home. Though he's caught himself and his thin face, habits die hard. Repetition should help. Talking is still hard, he was never much of a talker.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Another thing that's changed is his time. Without disciples to train he's got a lot of free time on his hands. He realize early on that without his disciples he doesn't interact with anyone. No one comes for him and he doesn't go searching. So it's been hard to practice. No matter, he just needs to get out there. He can always retreat to the Red Lotus pavilion. A tactical retreat because his thin face won't allow him to call it what it is: running away.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Speaking of former disciples. Wanning has done his utmost to let Mo Ran go. His... crush needs to end. If not end then be locked up. He's already kept it a secret till he dies, but that didn't seem to be enough. Now it's time. Mo Ran is older, no longer his disciple and free. There's nothing much tying them together. For his own sake he needs to let Mo Ran go. He knows how Mo Ran feels about him, he knows how all three disciples feel about him. He gave his life to protect him, it's the least can do considering how he treated Mo Ran. Maybe that's where it should end.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

It's been five years. Mo Ran must have gotten closer to Shi Mei. He wouldn't be shocked if they are a couple now. After all Shi Mei is everything he's not. Add in the fact he looks like this now. He must be horrid to look at.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Of course just because Mo Ran apologize doesn't mean he wants a relationship with Wanning, not more than they can have now as shizun and former disciple. Mo Ran just felt guilty for his attitude in the past. He's always known Mo Ran has a very good heart so he's glad it seems to still be there after he almost ruined it. They both apologize and are moving forward now.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Wanning is learning to be more approachable. Mo Ran is going forward with his good and pure heart. Their roads may not be together anymore but that's okay. That's life. There are still so many people out there that need to be helped. Wanning will do that. That's how he'll use his second life, his second chance.

"Shizun?" Wanning jumps in his skin not expecting to hear that voice, at least not in his room, or at all. Wanning turn seeing Mo Ran staring at him. Avoiding his eyes, Wanning looks out the window. Right, he hasn't but up a barrier yet.

"Is something wrong?" Wanning wonders knowing no one comes over to chat with him. He doubts Mo Ran would want to, they don't have anything to chat about, so with that in mind he must have come here for an emergency or he was summoned. Though Mo Ran could have let a disciple come here.

Mo Ran blinks. "No. Nothings wrong but..." Mo Ran eyes the desk his teacher is sitting in front of and the box held in his hand, "what are you doing?" He asks, one of his eyebrows raised. "I can hear the banging all the way outside the pavilion." He says stepping closer.

"Oh." Wanning turns to looks at his desk. A paper with specks of pink dust sat in front of him. "I'm trying to get as much dust as I can out of the box."

"Right... why?"

"Tanlang elder needs more." Wanning says banging the box some more. Letting the noise hang between the two. Both haven't talked or interacted with each other much since they have gotten back. On their trip back Xue Meng was there as a good distraction. They were hardly alone. Logically Wanning knew there was no need to, they both said their peace.

After enough banging Wanning sets the box to the side, folding the paper into a star to hold the dust without spilling it. He puts it into his robes. He stands up, seeing Mo Ran still here. With his eye level now below Mo Ran he tilts his head up.

"Did you need something?" Wanning asks, that has to be why he's still here.

"No." Mo Ran shakes his head.

"I... see. Then excuse me." Wanning says going around Mo Ran out his own room. Out his own house. Wanning shakes his head. He shouldn't look for a deeper meaning. Maybe he was checking to make sure the person he went through the underworld for is still alive and hasn't wasted it. Or maybe it was the noise.

It has to be the noise.

"Going to Tanlang?" Mo Ran asks causing Wanning to stumble. He pauses taking a look at Mo Ran, the younger looking very casual. Why is he following him, an ugly old man? He must have better things to do.

Mo Ran smiles in amusement at Wanning reactions. Who knew Wanning can be so cute? Especially with how much he seem to treasure those two pins. Mo Ran got a glimpse of them on his desk. With Wanning ever owning one hair ornament he must not have a place to put them.

"Yes." Wanning says, collecting himself as he walks forward. Mo Ran keeps up. Eyes on the older man. Wanning is once again wearing his cultivation robes. Even his hair is once again in his signature ponytail. Mo Ran hates it, Wanning strutting his body for everyone to see. The white cloth hugging his new figure too well. Everyone is watching the way he walks, as elegant as always. He wants to pluck everyone's eyes out.