Secret or Lie || Zhuiyi

chapter 3

Warning: bad panic attacks, bullying/harassment.

"ㅡ just because you hear some rumors and think you know everything doesn't give you the right to walk all over another person! Especially such a kind hearted one who has done so much for all of you combined and more!" Jingyi fumed at a bunch of cultivators, standing protectively in front of Sizhui, who was looking down at his feet. 

"He's right! So what if he's a Wen! He's never done anything personally to harm us! Just because some of his ancestors were terrible doesn't mean he is!" Jin Ling joined in, furious at the disgusting gossip he walked in on. 

"Jin Ling is right, Sizhui is very powerful, and uses that power to help us and help right from wrong, don't talk about something you know nothing about." Zizhen spoke, standing in front of Sizhui next to Jingyi, Jin Ling joining him. 

Sizhui was crying, he didn't understand why it hurt so much, it never hurt this bad before. The four of them were just going out for lunch when they overheard a few people saying vile things about him. 

When Jingyi saw it was getting to him he couldn't hold his anger anymore, and snapped, he hated seeing the boy he loved hurt. Jin Ling and Zizhen knew about the two, and kept their secret. But because they knew, they understood why Jingyi was so angry and protective.

Sizhui gripped Jingyis robes, causing the boy to turn to him. 

"Can we go? Please?" He asked, his voice hush and small, and god Jingyi hated it. 

"Yeah, let's go back to cloud recesses, we can do whatever you want," Jingyi said as he paid, walking them out of the diner. 

"Hey, we're gonna leave you two be and go to our inn, you can stop by whenever you need to ok?" Zizhen spoke, watching the two. 

"Thank you Zizhen," Jingyi said bowing to him, then Jin Ling, before walking back with Sizhui.

He was quiet the entire time, and when Jingyi knew no one could see them, he grabbed Sizhuis hand and held it tightly. Sizhui managed to relax a little feeling his touch, but he was still looking at his feet. 

Jingyi had to let go of his hand once they got to the entry way, placing his arm behind his back, walking in with him. He snuck glances at Sizhui worriedly, but tried to keep it as subtle as possible.

When they got back to Sizhuis place, he could still sense that Jingyi was still pretty angry, yet he could also sense worry. 

"Sizhui, look at me," Jingyi said as Sizhui kept his head down, tears pouring out of his eyes again. 

Jingyi could see his breathing was ragged, could see the tears hitting the floor, he knew Sizhui was crying again. He immediately pulled him into a tight protective hug, refusing to let go. 

Sizhui started crying harder into Jingyis chest, his arms loosely wrapping around him, but at the same time, his grip on his robes were the opposite. 

"You're not alone Sizhui, remember that. I love you, so much, you're not alone." Jingyi spoke and pressed a kiss on his head, nuzzling into him.

He came first, before anything. 

Sizhui hiccuped before finally looking up at Jingyi, eyes red and cheeks puffy. Why did it hurt so bad? He couldn't figure it out, he wished he knew. He'd heard gossip about him before and always ignored it, yet this time he couldn't. Maybe it was because the nature of their words? The inhuman threats coming out of their mouths?