#but i failed to realize that this is twice as ling and has way more panels | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

Note

Jin Zixuan knows what he wants, and that’s to be the next pretty but useless Madam Jiang. All that he has to is 1) pass his title of heir to his new brother, 2) convince JYL to fall back in love with him, 3) not embarrass himself. Three easy enough goals, right? -🙃

ao3

Untamed

Jin Zixuan was almost – almost – not surprised to open his eyes and find himself sixteen again.

Instead of, you know, dead.

Honestly, it just seemed like the perfect capstone of his life of happenstance: born an idiot, raised an idiot, continued to be an idiot, realized he was an idiot, remained an idiot but a better class thereof, and somehow despite all that managed to hit the jackpot of luck not only once but twice – the first in being born in the right womb, the second in convincing Jiang Yanli to give him a second chance despite the aforementioned unbroken streak of lifelong idiocy.

Possibly because of. She thought he was cute.

Anyway, as if to make him pay up for that amazing streak of luck, just when he’d finally achieved all the things he’d ever actually wanted – a wife that loved him and who he loved in return and a son to dote upon – he had, for the first time in his life, grown up and decided to not be a complete idiot…only to immediately die.

Being reborn seemed pretty much part and parcel with the whole stupid tragedy.

Not that he regretted inviting Wei Wuxian to come visit. That’d been the right thing to do, and Jiang Yanli had been so happy – it hadn't even been his fault; it had been Jin Zixun’s ambush that had ruined it all, really. Jin Zixuan wasn’t even entirely sure what it was that had actually killed him, whether it was a stray arrow or a misplaced sword or even the Ghost General gone berserk, but he was sure that if his stupid cousin hadn’t decided to attack, Wei Wuxian would have come and left in peace.

If he hadn’t rushed out by himself to try to fix things, to make sure the one thing he’d ever managed to do right by Jiang Yanli worked out well, then maybe he wouldn’t have ended up leaving her and Jin Ling behind.

Alone.

In Lanling City.

He shuddered even to think it.

Jin Zixuan knew that there were people who loved their sects – passionately, devotedly. Jiang Cheng had been one of them, defying death itself to resurrect the Jiang sect in his parents’ honor and reestablishing it as one of the Great Sects. And then there was Lan Xichen, the steadfast and honorable, who had sacrificed everything, even honor, to make sure his sect’s books survived what they had feared would be the end. And all this was to say nothing of Nie Mingjue, who had come to power painfully young and had played the game of politics that he so despised in order to stay the course, to avenge his father and keep his sect strong…

Jin Zixuan did not love his sect.

He did not love his city, he did not love his people. He had wondered if it was a failing in himself, but then looked at the rest of his family and realized it was just his blood running true. Lanling Jin had a soul of rot and a heart of stone, each one of them careless and indifferent in their own way – his father couldn’t give a damn about his sect except in the sense that it aided his personal power, his mother the authority it gave her whether through her husband or her son, his cousins the impunity they could derive from it…

Jin Zixuan had told Jiang Yanli about it when she agreed to marry him, worried that she'd change her mind when she learned the truth but even more worried that she'd wake up one day to find herself trapped and disappointed in him. But she was as ever the luckiest thing that had ever happened in his life: she’d said that she would be fine because she had him by her side, and he would be fine because he had her, and they would balance. He’d accepted that argument – and then, of course, he’d gone and died, like the idiot that he was.

And yet, somehow, he’d been reborn, granting him another chance to change his fate, and this time, this time, he wasn’t going to deceive himself.

After all, it seemed pretty clear from his last life that he was never going to not be an idiot, and that fate wasn’t too happy about him trying to stick his nose into politics or major events.

This time around, he wasn’t going to struggle against his destiny – Jin Zixuan was going to accept it.

He was going to be absolutely useless.

He sat up in his bed, observing that he was in the Cloud Recesses, and that his eye hurt; it must be not long after his fight with Wei Wuxian, which meant his engagement was broken. He’d have to win Jiang Yanli again – still, he’d somehow managed it last time around, so that wasn’t what he was worried about.

No, the main problem was definitely how he was going to manage the whole “be useless” part of his ambitions – and for that, he needed the advice of an expert.

“Nie-er-gongzi, can I ask you for some advice?” he asked.

Nie Huaisang blinked blearily at him. “Jin-gongzi? It’s the middle of the night.”

“It’s important,” Jin Zixuan said apologetically. “It’s something that only you can help me with.”

“…me?”

“Yes, you. I need to learn how to be a good-for-nothing.” Jin Zixuan thought about it. “Also, I need to get in contact with Meng Yao. He’s at the Unclean Realm now, right? Someone needs to inherit Lanling Jin, might as well be him.”

Nie Huaisang blinked owlishly at him.

“…okay.” He pulled open the door. “I think you’d better come inside.”

#mdzs #jin zixuan #nie huaisang #my fic #my fics

395 notes · View notes

bloody-bee-tea · 3 years

Text

Goo

Jiang Cheng rapidly blinks to clear his vision, but the haze over his eyes stays where it is. It almost feels like he’s seeing double at this point, and seeing Sect Leader Yao twice does very little to improve his already poor mood, if Jiang Cheng is being honest.

While this is not Jiang Cheng’s first conference as a Sect Leader, it’s still new enough that he desperately has to try to make a good impression, and nodding off in the middle of Sect Leader Yao complaining about something or other is certainly not the way to do it.

Even though Jiang Cheng would love to do nothing more.

He’s not sure when the last time he got a full night’s sleep was, but it must be months at this point. Between caring for his infant nephew, taking over the role as Sect Leader and rebuilding Lotus Pier there is simply not enough time for him to sleep.

Not that he could even if he had the time for it, with how his nights are haunted by nightmares, but Jiang Cheng tries his best not to think of that.

Just like he’s trying very hard not to think about his shaking hands or his weak knees or how his vision keeps tilting as if he’s already falling to the side.

He cannot allow himself to show some weakness here, especially not with Jin Guangshan watching him like a hawk.

The old leech is just waiting for Jiang Cheng to make a mistake—has been since that very first meeting Jiang Cheng attended as a Sect Leader—and Jiang Cheng would rather die than play into his hands like that.

So Jiang Cheng keeps himself awake by sheer force of will for the rest of the day, and by the time Nie Mingjue puts an end to this endless farce—at least for this day—Jiang Cheng feels sluggish and slow as if he’s wading through goo instead of normal air.

He just hopes that no one else noticed it yet.

“Jiang-xiong,” Nie Huaisang says as he sits down next to him and Jiang Cheng feels like crying.

He just wants to leave and rest his eyes for a few moments, drop the Sect Leader charade and give in to how weak he feels, but it doesn’t seem like he gets to do that yet, if Nie Huaisang wants to talk.

“What do you want?” Jiang Cheng snaps out and then winces as he realizes how unbearably rude that was.

Nie Huaisang is the beloved brother of a Sect Leader and Jiang Cheng likes to think that they are somewhat friends, and Nie Huaisang definitely deserves better than that.

“I apologize,” Jiang Cheng presses out, still way too formally, but Nie Huaisang doesn’t seem to be that offended.

At least for now.

“I guess that answers the question of how you’re doing,” Nie Huaisang muses and sends Jiang Cheng a knowing look from behind his fan.

“I’m doing just fine,” Jiang Cheng tells him, desperately trying not to burst into tears when he thinks about another day of endless talks tomorrow.

“You look like death warmed over,” Nie Huaisang shoots back and Jiang Cheng doesn’t actually have anything to say to that.

“How’s Jin Ling doing?” Nie Huaisang wants to know when Jiang Cheng stays quiet and Jiang Cheng can’t help the small smile on his face.

“He’s doing well. He’s growing so quickly,” he whispers, because Jiang Cheng still can’t believe that Jin Ling is going to turn two in a few months.

“That’s good to hear,” Nie Huaisang gives back. “It would be even better, though, if you were doing well too,” he then tacks on and Jiang Cheng flinches, before he straightens up.

“Who says I’m not?” he bites out, even though his vision is still tilting all the damn time because he’s so tired.

“You don’t look fine at all,” Nie Huaisang lowly says, and the only thing that prevents Jiang Cheng from snapping at him is the clearly worried look on Nie Huaisang’s face.

“I’m not—it’s not so bad,” Jiang Cheng whispers as he scrubs a hand over his face. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I think I do,” Nie Huaisang says, with a thoughtful look that he fails to hide behind his fan. “You need rest so you’re going to sleep.”

“Yeah, right,” Jiang Cheng scoffs, because while there is nothing he’d want to do more than go to sleep, he doubts that he can.

He can barely sleep at Lotus Pier; there is no way that he can fall asleep in a strange place, where he doesn’t feel safe.

Nie Huaisang narrows his eyes at him, and Jiang Cheng sighs.

“You can’t make me, so drop it now, Huaisang,” he tells him, but that only seems to spur Nie Huaisang on harder.

“Oh, but I know someone who can,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes and a shudder runs down Jiang Cheng’s back.

It used to be a badly hidden secret that Jiang Cheng had the worst crush on Nie Mingjue, but honestly, it’s been so long, and with everything that’s been going on recently, Jiang Cheng doesn’t think that even Nie Mingjue’s disapproval will be enough to send him to bed, no matter how much Jiang Cheng still wants to impress him.

“And would you look at that, what a coincidence, he’s just walking over here,” Nie Huaisang suddenly says, his fan hiding most of his face again and Jiang Cheng can feel a faint flush on his face.

“When the hell did you become such an insufferable schemer,” he hisses out, because this anger is always something he can fall back on even when he’s dead tired and embarrassed beyond belief, and while Nie Huaisang seems more than amused by this, Nie Mingjue’s face darkens as Jiang Cheng’s words reach him.

“He always was,” Nie Mingjue tells him with a hard glare. “Which you would know if you made any kind of effort of maintaining a friendship between the two of you.”

Jiang Cheng tenses at his tone, more than at his words. Nie Mingjue sounds honestly displeased with how Jiang Cheng has been treating Nie Huaisang, and he can’t even say anything in his defence because he has been neglecting Nie Huaisang.

There is just almost so much to do; he barely has time to eat or sleep, how the hell would he ever find time to write to Nie Huaisang when it’s not an important Sect matter? Jiang Cheng doesn’t even have time for idle chit-chat with his own people; there is no way he would find the time to sit down and put it onto paper.

“I apologize, Nie-zhongzhu. Nie-xiong,“ he then says to Nie Huaisang with a low bow. “I will take my leave.”

Jiang Cheng is already half turned away, because leaving this situation—and Nie Mingjue’s disapproving look—is the only thing on his mind right now, but then Nie Huaisang speaks up again.

“Da-ge,“Nie Huaisang whines before Jiang Cheng can run away from them. “Cut him some slack, would you?” he asks as he smacks Nie Mingjue with his fan, and Jiang Cheng thinks this is definitely the wrong way to endear Nie Mingjue towards him.

“You wouldn’t expect me to maintain non-essential friendships if I just lost you, and our entire Sect and I had to raise your baby,” Nie Huaisang says decisively and Jiang Cheng watches as the tensions drains out of Nie Mingjue at that.

“No, I wouldn’t,” he admits as he scrubs a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Jiang Wanyin.”

“There’s no need,” Jiang Cheng quickly gives back, wondering if this could be a hallucination, because Nie Mingjue is not known to apologize.

“He was just being overprotective,” Nie Huaisang says as he leans close. “You know how it is.”

“Yeah, right,” Jiang Cheng scoffs out, before he can think about it. “No one’s ever been overprotective when it comes to me,” he tacks on, voice still barely above a whisper, but Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang freeze.

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang then says, his eyes wide and pleading and Nie Mingjue nods as if he just made a decision.

Jiang Cheng can only continue to stare at them, because none of their reactions makes any sense, but then Nie Mingjue places his hand on his shoulder and it’s heavy and warm and Jiang Cheng sways under it.

“You need to sleep, Jiang Wanyin,” Nie Mingjue tells him and now Jiang Cheng feels like crying, because Nie Mingjue’s voice is soft and there is nothing in this world Jiang Cheng would like to do more, but he can’t.

“I can’t,” he whispers, finally admitting to that one weakness, and Nie Mingjue squeezes his shoulder.

“Why not?” he gently asks and Jiang Cheng hangs his head in shame.

“I mean no offence,” he starts with, because he needs to get that out of the way first, “but I don’t feel safe here. At least not enough to sleep.”

“Jiang Cheng,” Nie Huaisang starts, but Nie Mingjue cuts him off with a gesture.

“It’s not Lotus Pier,” Nie Mingjue says, and there’s understanding in his voice. “And you didn’t put up the defences of this place yourself.”

“Yes,” Jiang Cheng breathes out, his eyes burning again and he’s unsure if it’s because he’s so goddamn tired or if it is because someone finally understands.

“Would it help if you warded your own room?” Nie Mingjue asks, but Jiang Cheng shakes his head.

It would probably make him feel safe enough that he could fall asleep for a few minutes at a time, but by now Jiang Cheng knows that a few minutes are worse than no sleep at all.

“What if I sit with you?” Nie Mingjue asks next and Jiang Cheng can’t help the scoff that comes out at that suggestion.

As if Nie Mingjue really has the time to sit with him, just because Jiang Cheng cannot manage to fall asleep on his own.

“My da-ge doesn’t joke,” Nie Huaisang says, and when Jiang Cheng looks at him, he doesn’t like the look on his face at all.

It seems far too calculating for someone like Nie Huaisang.

“Come on, we should continue this talk in your own room,” Nie Huaisang says, and now even Nie Mingjue looks like he knows that Nie Huaisang is up to something, but he doesn’t say anything and instead uses the hand that is still on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder to steer him towards his assigned quarters.

The trip there is short and blessedly silent, but Jiang Cheng can’t help but to notice the hand that Nie Mingjue still keeps on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. It’s heavy with his concern and Jiang Cheng doesn’t know how to handle that at all.

He sees Nie Huaisang throw him some looks from the corner of his eyes, but Jiang Cheng is too tired to figure out what the hell Nie Huaisang could be thinking and so he simply allows the Nie brothers to lead the way.

When Nie Huaisang closes the door behind them, Jiang Cheng immediately gets nervous again.

“You really don’t have to,” he says before anyone else can say something but Nie Mingjue shakes his head.

“I don’t have to, but I’m offering because I want to. I don’t know if anyone told you yet, but you look like shit.”

“I did!” Nie Huaisang says immediately and Jiang Cheng sinks down on the bed.

He really doesn’t know what he got himself into when he came to this conference.

“I would be more than happy to sit with you if that helps you sleep,” Nie Mingjue tells him and Jiang Cheng can tell that he means it, too, but he can’t accept this.

He can’t steal that much time from Nie Mingjue.

“You need to sleep, too,” he argues because he doubts that anything else will get him somewhere.

“No offense, but I can deal with a sleepless night. You on the other hand look like you’re going to drop dead if you don’t get at least seven hours.”

“Besides, there’s still Baxia,” Nie Huaisang says, and there’s something to his voice that makes Jiang Cheng tense up.

“Huaisang,” Nie Mingjue says in warning, but Nie Huaisang isn’t paying attention to him.

“You know, da-ge’s saber? You know that she’s semi-sentient, right? Even in the off-chance that he does fall asleep, Baxia would wake him up if someone with malicious intent were to intrude on these quarters.”

“Huaisang!” Nie Mingjue snaps out, clearly not liking what Nie Huaisang just revealed, but it’s done now.

“Semi-sentient?” Jiang Cheng asks, and he can’t help but to fiddle with Zidian around his finger.

It’s a spiritual weapon, too, like Sandu is as well, but he wouldn’t describe either of them as semi-sentient.

“That’s none of your concern,” Nie Mingjue gruffly says and normally Jiang Cheng would shrink back from his tone, but he’s actually too tired for even that kind of reaction though he does make a mental note to never ask about this again.

“If you don’t believe me, you can touch her to check for yourself,” Nie Huaisang says and now Nie Mingjue turns towards him, using his full height to tower over him.

“Nie Huaisang, you will stop right this instant!”

“But da-ge, look at him! He’s going to drop dead if he doesn’t sleep and how else is he going to feel safe enough?”

“Those are Sect secrets!”

“And Jiang-xiong is not going to tell anyone else, right?” Nie Huaisang asks as he leans around his brother to look at Jiang Cheng.

“Right,” Jiang Cheng says on reflex, but then he shakes his head. “Of course I wouldn’t tell anyone about that.”

He barely believes it himself. How would he ever tell someone else about this?

There must have been something in his voice, or maybe he just makes that pitiful of a picture, because Nie Mingjue takes a deep breath and the tension visibly leaves his whole posture.

“People have been killed for talking about this,” he states matter-of-factly and Jiang Cheng immediately nods.

“I understand.”

There’s a bit of a pause, before Nie Mingjue says “You may touch her if it helps.”

Jiang Cheng’s head flies up at his words, because with how this talk was going, this is really not what he expected.

“I wouldn’t dare to,” he gets out, completely panicked at the thought that this is just another test; one he’s going to fail because there probably is no right answer to this.

“I’m offering,” Nie Mingjue says and true to his word offers Baxia to him. “Huaisang is right. Even if I fall asleep, Baxia wouldn’t allow anyone to break into here. She would wake me at the first sign that something is wrong.”

Jiang Cheng’s fingers go back to Zidian again and he wishes the same were true for his own spiritual tool. He definitely would sleep better if he knew that Zidian could wake him up or even act without his conscious thought.

“If you’re sure,” Jiang Cheng says after a long moment, and he only reaches out for Baxia when Nie Mingjue nods again.

Jiang Cheng’s fingertips have barely grazed the saber when another consciousness washes over him.

“Oh,” he breathes out in surprise, because he really didn’t expect Baxia to be like that but then the feeling of something other overwhelms him completely and Jiang Cheng doubles over.

He can feel rage and the ever-vigilant aura of something that doesn’t have to sleep, but beneath that there is unimaginable joy and something like recognition.

Jiang Cheng’s head is spinning with all these impressions but before he can drown in these emotions that are not his, Baxia retreats. She doesn’t vanish completely, though; Jiang Cheng can still feel her as a steady presence, and he knows she’s looking out for him now as well, but when Jiang Cheng blinks his eyes he notices that he stopped touching the saber.

He shouldn’t still be aware of Baxia like that.

“What the hell,” he whispers and he jerks when Baxia reflects amusement back at him, before she goes almost dormant.

It takes Jiang Cheng way too long to realize that she seems to be going dormant in Zidian and he jerks his head up when he finally does.

“What the hell,” he asks again, louder this time, and he holds his hand out. “Why is your semi-sentient saber in my spiritual tool?” he demands to know, a tinge of hysteria to his voice, but Nie Mingjue looks like Jiang Cheng is feeling which is completely overwhelmed and thoroughly confused.

“Thank the gods,” Nie Huaisang whispers and it takes Jiang Cheng way too long to turn his head and look at him, because Nie Mingjue is keeping his gaze and Jiang Cheng doesn’t actually want to look away.

“What is going on?” he asks Nie Huaisang when he finally manages to break eye contact with Nie Mingjue, even though it feels like one of the most difficult things Jiang Cheng has ever done.

“Congratulations, you’re soulmates,” Nie Huaisang says and he claps his hands together as if his words actually make any kind of sense.

“Huaisang, explain,” Nie Mingjue mildly says and Jiang Cheng can tell that he’s more fondly amused than really concerned and Jiang Cheng wonders how he can be this calm right now.

“Jiang-xiong, can you still feel Baxia?” Nie Huaisang asks instead of getting into an explanation and Jiang Cheng barely has to reach out for Zidian—for Baxia—before she responds to him.

“She’s like a cat that got the cream,” he says, because she radiates contented smugness and Jiang Cheng isn’t sure if he likes it or not.

He decides to go with not for as long as he doesn’t know what’s actually happening here.

“Da-ge, can you still feel Baxia?” Nie Huaisang asks next and Nie Mingjue nods as well.

“She’s—content. Happy.” There’s a bit of a pause. “Whole.”

“That’s good, that’s so good,” Nie Huaisang mutters and then he darts forward to hug Jiang Cheng. “Thank you so much for being my brother’s soulmate,” he whispers into his chest and Jiang Cheng brings his arms up around him on reflex, but it doesn’t do anything to alleviate his confusion.

“Can you explain?” he asks, too tired to come up with more words for his request and Nie Huaisang pulls back.

“There’s this really old legend,” he starts and Jiang Cheng sits down, because this might take a while and despite what just happened, he is still ready to keel over out of tiredness.

“The legend says that the saber spirits used to be whole; made up of a soul to know right and wrong and a heart to know compassion. But over the course of time, those two got split up. The soul was pushed into the sabers to cut down those that are wrong, but without their heart to know compassion and love, they went wild; crazy. They started to lash out against their wielders, causing them to go mad and to qi-deviate.”

“Like Baxia has been doing,” Nie Mingjue says, but the hand he puts on Baxia speaks of fondness, rather than anger.

“Yes,” Nie Huaisang nods. “But if the soul is reunited with the heart, they can heal. They can be whole again.”

“Say it clearly,” Jiang Cheng snaps out, because he’s too tired to understand the implications of all of it, though he does note down Nie Mingjue’s little remark.

It hurts his heart to think that Nie Mingjue was suffering because of Baxia. And going by the wave of sadness he gets from Zidian—from Baxia—she is hurting because of that, too.

“Zidian is Baxia’s heart,” Nie Huaisang says and then winces. “Well, Zidian wielded by you is Baxia’s heart. The tale turned into a legend, because not many people know of it; because it barely happens. Finding your soulmate like this is extremely rare, because not only do the soul and the heart have to be a match, the humans who wield them, must be too. Zidian has been around for ages; but now it’s drenched in your spiritual energy and that’s what makes it a fit.”

“Kind of reassuring to know that Madam Yu wouldn’t have made the cut,” Nie Mingjue mutters and Jiang Cheng can’t help himself, he bursts out with laughter.

“Can you even imagine that?” he wheezes out, and a very distant part of himself knows that he’s completely overreacting because of his sleep-deprivation, but he can’t stop.

“I don’t want to, actually,” Nie Mingjue drily says and then pushes Jiang Cheng gently down on the bed. “Sleep, Jiang Wanyin,” he whispers when Jiang Cheng goes easily.

Jiang Cheng tries to struggle, tries to gives this a bit more thought besides the warm feeling that fills him when he thinks that he might be made for Nie Mingjue, but his thoughts are sluggish and sleep is creeping up on him.

He reaches out for Baxia again, and he relaxes when he finds her awake and alert, ready to protect him should anything happen, and Nie Mingjue’s heavy, warm hand has moved to cup Jiang Cheng’s cheek, telling him that he’s still here, that he too would protect Jiang Cheng.

It’s enough for Jiang Cheng to finally close his eyes and give in to the darkness.

The last thing he hears before sleep takes him is a muttered “Sleep, my heart.”

It’s the best sleep he has gotten in ages.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

#bt writes #the untamed #mdzs #mingcheng #soulmates #canon divergence #hurt/comfort #sleep deprivation #fluff #kinda getting together

183 notes · View notes

stiltonbasket · 3 years

Note

I have a suggestion for your renouncement au: LWJ making a new song for their baby and WWX crying when he first hears it

(author’s note: please please reblog if you can, since that’s how we get prompts for future chapters!)

For the past two weeks, Lan Zhan has been spending a great deal of time at his guqin.

Wei Wuxian first noticed it when he returned from the lanshi on a clear spring morning (after teaching his bi-weekly talisman theory class, which had all the juniors in it except for Jin Ling) and found Lan Zhan sitting at the low table in the front room, idly plucking at the qin’s smooth strings and making corrections to a jiandu scroll while he worked. He didn’t seem to notice when Wei Wuxian came in, since he only strummed another few notes before smiling at his work with the small sweet smile that he usually saves for Xiao-Yu.

“What are you doing with your qin, sweetheart?” Wei Wuxian called, going over to greet his husband and glancing down in surprise when Lan Zhan laid a sheet of thin paper over the scroll. “Are you marking one of your students’ compositions, Lan Zhan?”

“It is mine,” Lan Zhan said simply, already ushering Wei Wuxian to the kitchen so he could lay out their lunch dishes. “I began it last week.”

“Oh?” Wei Wuxian asked, delighted. The only qin score that Lan Zhan had written—as far as Wei Wuxian knew, at least—was Wangxian, and he found himself both interested and pleased by the thought of listening to something else his beloved had composed. “Can I hear it, Lan Zhan?”

But to his surprise, Lan Zhan only shook his head and filled Wei Wuxian’s bowl with rice. “Not yet, xingan. But when it is ready, you will be the first one to hear it.”

After that, Lan Zhan took care to work on the score when Wei Wuxian was away from the jingshi, either teaching the juniors or visiting the rabbits or going on walks with Lan Xichen, and Wei Wuxian often returns home to find his husband just putting Wangji away, or halfway through the process of clearing away his writing things, and pouts about Lan Zhan’s reticence until Lan Zhan kisses a smile back onto his face and spends at least half an hour holding him close under their new purple quilts.

“Be patient, Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan chides, when he catches Wei Wuxian combing through the box of discarded compositions under their bed to see if the new one might be tucked away amongst them. “You will hear it in time.”

“How long, then?” Wei Wuxian complained. “Haven’t I waited long enough, Lan Zhan? Is it not finished yet?”

“No,” comes the reply, followed by a devastatingly tender kiss to his lips and another on the tip of his nose. “When it is, I will show you right away.”

And then, in true Lan Zhan fashion, he refuses to say any more about it.

But Wei Wuxian ends up forgetting the matter before the end of the month, as he tends to do whenever Lan Zhan tells him not to worry about something—and anyway, preparing for their little one’s arrival and then bringing her into the world was a very efficient distraction, given the fact that neither he nor Lan Zhan really knew anything about babies younger than one or two years old. They gathered drawers full of little clothes and diapers, bought a trunk of tiny plush dolls and blocks, and tried (and failed) to find someplace to put all the toys Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng sent them, and then they had to find a cradle and rearrange some of the furniture so that the baby can have room to move about when she gets big enough to crawl.

Wei Wuxian also had to spend a week cultivating with Lan Xichen, clearing out his meridians with his brother-in-law’s spiritual energy, and that was only finished just in time for baby A-Lan to come safely into her parents’ arms during a thunderstorm in the summertime.

And then, when Wei Wuxian wakes up and tries to soothe A-Lan back to sleep on the night after her full-moon birthday, Lan Zhan pulls his qin out of its case and beckons Wei Wuxian over to sit at his side. Wei Wuxian expects to hear Wangxian, of course, since the matter of that other song has long since been forgotten; but then Lan Zhan plucks out an unfamiliar chord, one that makes A-Lan’s big eyes widen with interest, and touches something deep and soft in Wei Wuxian’s heart like sunlight touching the heart of a summer flower.

Lan Zhan wrote this for Lan-bao, he realizes, covering his mouth as a tear slips down his cheek. He’s played this for her before, hasn’t he?

“Before she was born,” Lan Zhan says softly. “I played it while you were asleep, to calm her.”

“It’s beautiful,” Wei Wuxian whispers, wiping his eyes with A-Lan’s fluffy blankets. “Play it again, Lan Zhan?”

And Lan Zhan does, twice and then twice more, until Shuilan drifts off to sleep in Wei Wuxian’s lap and leaves her parents to trade quiet kisses in the dark over her head.

“Xiaoyao ji,” Lan Zhan murmurs, close beside Wei Wuxian’s ear. “It suits our A-Bao, does it not?”

Wei Wuxian nods. “It does,” he laughs, smiling through his tears. “It’s perfect, Lan Zhan, just like her!”

note: the characters used here for “xiaoyao ji” are 小瑤记 instead of 逍遥记 like the ending theme of the MDZSQ donghua; the original title has been translated as “carefree memories of the past” or “carefree journey,” but 小瑤记 (as far as I know) can be translated as “story of a little treasure” which is why LWJ chose it for A-Lan. The two titles are not pronounced in the same way, and have nothing in common except for the Roman transliteration and the character “记” at the end.

If any of this is inaccurate, corrections are very much welcomed and wanted!

#wangxian #the untamed #mo dao zu shi #renouncement verse #wangxian arranged marriage au #my fic

160 notes · View notes

trilliastra · 4 years

Text

[Jin Ling loves his jiujiu very very much. Angst/hurt/comfort/fluff.]

The first thing Jin Ling sees when he arrives at the clearing is his uncle on the ground. Hanguang-jun's hand on his chest and Wei Wuxian pacing around them, shaking his head frantically.

He feels the world disappear around him and soon enough he's running, eyes fixed on his uncle's face. “Jiujiu,” he tries to reach him, to shake him awake because his uncle should not be this expressionless, he should be frowning, complaining about Hanguang-jun being too close. His uncle should not look like he's dying, “wake up! Jiujiu –” he notices Hanguang-jun is still touching him and tries to push him away, “what are you –”

“Jin Ling, calm down.” Wei Wuxian pulls him back, lookinh far too calm for this situation and Jin Ling wants to punch him.

“What happened?” He asks, desperate, notices Jingyi and Sizhui stepping closer, the other disciples standing farther away. Some from the Jiang Sect gasp and try to reach their leader as well, but are stopped by Sect Leader Lan.

“We got attacked, he hit his head against a rock.” Wei Wuxian explains and Jin Ling turns to look at him uncle again, notices the puddle of blood on the ground around his head. He feels like throwing up. “Lan Zhan is transferring energy into his core, he will be fine, Jin Ling.” Wei Wuxian tries to reassure him, but his hands are shaking just as much as Jin Ling's.

“I will do it.” Jin Ling says, determined, pushing Wei Wuxian away. The man stops him again. “Let me go.” He growls, angrily, one hand on his sword. Some disciples say he looks exactly like his jiujiu when he frowns and Jin Ling rejoices on it now, hopes Wei Wuxian feels the glare deep inside his core-less body.

“Lan Zhan is –”

“No offense,” Jin Ling says, makes sure to stare directly at Hanguang-jun’s hand touching his uncle, no doubt feeling the beat of Wei Wuxian's core inside his jiujiu's chest, “Hanguang-jun might be trying to stop him from dying, but he isn't trying to save him.” He hears someone gasp and someone else yells his name, but he doesn't turn around to check, keeps his eyes on Hanguang-jun's face when the other man looks up, only a frown between his eyebrows to indicate he heard him.

“Jin Ling,” Wei Wuxian shouts and Jin Ling finally decides to shove him away.

“I will do it.” Jin Ling repeats, keeping his stance. He knows most of them still see him as a child, hell, Jin Ling still feels like a child most of the time, but he's Sect Leader Jin now, and he knows that somewhere in Lotus Pier there's a document saying he's to be Sect Leader Jiang in case something happens.

His jiujiu has prepared him for this moment, ever since he was a child and hated hearing about the what ifs, used to cry at the thought of his uncle leaving him. He wasn't ready to be Sect Leader Jin, but he's somehow making it work. He's not ready to be Sect Leader Jiang, but – he notices the other disciples, all dressed in purple, step the tiniest bit closer, ready to protect him if necessary – he's not against abusing his power to protect the one he loves.

“Wangji,” he hears Sect Leader Lan call and Hanguang-jun looks up at his brother. They share a look, a silent conversation that Jin Ling will never understand, but in the end Hanguang-jun steps back, lets Jin Ling take his place.

Jin Ling rushes to his jiujiu's side, kneels next to him and takes a deep breath. He did this before when Fairy hurt her leg in a trap, his jiujiu showed him what to do, guided him through the steps of transferring his own energy into another body. “Until help comes.” He had said, softly, holding Jin Ling's hand against Fairy's heart.

He can do this again. For his jiujiu he would do anything.

–

Jiang Cheng knows something is wrong when he finds himself in his father's office. It burned down along with the rest of Lotus Pier, years ago, and Jiang Cheng tried to rebuild everything exactly as it was, but he could never do it with his father's office. He doesn't think he'd be able to do his job well with the ghost of his father always around him.

He's the Sect Leader now and though he doesn't think he will ever be as good as Jiang Fengmian was, he has to try to do it his own way, to follow his own path. He apologizes to him on his prayers, hopes he would understand and approve of his choices, but they are his choices to make in the end.

After his sister's death and his brother's fall, Jiang Cheng realized he could never be what his father expected him to, so instead of following the words of a ghost, he embraced his own thoughts. He's failed him anyway, there's no point trying to change who he is. “Once a failure, always a failure.” He hears a voice say, turns around to find his father looking at him, clear disappointment on his face.

Jiang Cheng sighs, lowers his head, doesn't try to argue. He doesn't know what's happening, but he remembers those same words being said to him once before.

He blinks and his father is no longer there, instead his mother appears. “You're impossible.” She says. He closes his eyes, prepared for the slap, but it never comes, instead, when he opens his eyes again, his sister is there glaring at him.

“What did you do to my son?” She asks and Jiang Cheng sinks to his knees, finally letting the tears fall.

He's gotten used to being a disappointment to his parents, but never to his sister. She was the one who always loved him, who said he's a good leader, a great man, a lovely brother. He failed her too.

“I'm sorry.” He chokes out, but she's no longer there, instead Wei Wuxian is glaring at him, face distorted and a triumphant smile.

“You killed me.” He says. “You finally did it.” His brother laughs, mockingly. “You always wanted to kill me and you waited until I was without my core to do it. If I knew, I would have never given it to you. You never deserved it.”

Then there's Wen Qing, and Lan Qiren, and then his father again, and the other leaders laughing, pointing fingers. Jin Guangyao with a knife against Jin Ling's neck, Wei Wuxian's sword on his mother's chest, ghosts and more ghosts, taunting him, mocking, laughing.

And Jin Ling – his A-Ling, his nephew and his son – watching the humiliation, finally noticing the real Jiang Cheng. A weak man who hides behind his anger, a lonely boy, a man unworthy of being loved.

A failure.

“Jiujiu,” Jin Ling says, “come back to me.”

Jiang Cheng wakes up.

–

He's in Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng notices when he opens his eyes, confused. Jin Ling is sleeping next to him, holding his hand tightly.

“He's exhausted.” Jiang Cheng turns and notices Wei Wuxian on his other side, looking like he hasn't slept in days. Jin Ling lets out a soft huff, then a whine and Jiang Cheng tries to hide a smile. He used to do that as a child too.

“What happened?” He asks, his head hurts and the world looks fuzzy. He touches the back of his head and feels the bandages.

“You hit your head.” Wei Wuxian answers. “Jin Ling gave you some of his energy and then passed out.”

Jiang Cheng's eyes widen. “Why would you let him –” he starts to say, but Wei Wuxian stops him with a shush, pointing at a still asleep Jin Ling. Jiang Cheng closes his mouth, immediately, glaring at him.

“I tried to stop him.” Wei Wuxian keeps saying. He smiles, fondly, as he looks at Jin Ling. “He yelled at Lan Zhan.”

Jiang Cheng is taken back by his words, looks at the boy sleeping peacefully. He's still so young. “I will break his legs.” He lies, running one hand through his nephew's hair.

“He was really worried.” Wei Wuxian says, trying to hide a laugh behind his hand.

“What?”

“Oh, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian shakes his head, fondly, “he's just like you.” Jiang Cheng knows he means it as a compliment, still can read his broth– still can read him after so many years. But it shouldn't be like this, Jin Ling deserves better than him.

Jin Ling deserves someone like Wei Wuxian.

“Stop thinking stupid things.” Wei Wuxian says, pinching Jiang Cheng's arm. It's a childish action, fitting of a childish man, but it's so familiar, so brotherly, Jiang Cheng feels his heart hurt.

Wei Wuxian pulls back quickly, staring confusedly at his hand as if it created a life of its own. “I –” he tries to say, opens his mouth once, twice, but nothing comes out. He swallows. “Jiang Cheng –”

“I know.” Jiang Cheng shakes him off, looking away. It's hard to forgive, even harder to forget, and he misses it too. The stupid fights, the banter, the hugs and the affection. He has his Clan, loves his people, but he's a leader to them, not a brother or a son. He – he just wants it back. “I –” he doesn't know how to say it, doesn't know if he can say it, but as usual, Wei Wuxian knows it all too well.

They were the Twin Prides of Yunmeng, they were inseparable.

“Yeah,” Wei Wuxian nods, reaching out for Jiang Cheng's hand. He squeezes it tightly and Jiang Cheng has to look away to avoid the tears. He never realized how much he missed this – affection.

“Jiujiu,” Jin Ling mutters, confusedly, opening his eyes, and Wei Wuxian lets go of Jiang Cheng's hand immediately, “jiujiu, you're awake!” He says, when he notices Jiang Cheng looking at him, throws his arms around his shoulders and buries his face on his neck. “You're awake...” He repeats, voice low and Jiang Cheng knows he will start crying any minute now.

“Yeah,” he touches his nephew's back, rests his head against Jin Ling's, “I heard you yelled at Hanguang-jun.”

Jin Ling sniffles, “I was trying to help you.” He says, voice wobbly.

Jiang Cheng shakes his head, amused. “You're too much like me.” He comments and feels Jin Ling nod against his neck. Truthfully, he doesn't care if Jin Ling yelled at Hanguang-jun or not, but his nephew is a Sect Leader and this kind of behavior should not be encouraged. Jin Ling might be eighteen, but Jiang Cheng will still scold him as if he was ten. “You're going to apologize, later.”

“Fine.” Jin Ling whines, still holding him.

Jiang Cheng snorts. “Are you planning on letting me go any time soon?”

“No.” Jin Ling answers, tightening his hold. “I love you, jiujiu.”

Jiang Cheng sighs, glances at Wei Wuxian still sitting on the other side of his bed, smiling happily. “I love you, A-Ling.” He whispers. When Jin Ling pulls back, he sees his sister's smile on his face and feels, for the first time, like he's done something right. “Thank you.”

–

“She would be proud of you.” Wei Wuxian tells him later, when Jin Ling has left to apologize to Hanguang-jun.

Jiang Cheng takes a deep breath. “Yeah, I think she would.” He agrees and realizes he means it.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jiang cheng & jin ling #jiang cheng & wei wuxian #jiang cheng #my fic

112 notes · View notes

watch-grok-brainrot · 4 years

Text

Attempt the Impossible

Untamed Spring Fest Day 5 (I’m ~15 min late for my timezone, oops)

(Notes: ~2k words, post canon, canon (CQL) compliant, food focused, dreams, memories, Sizhui being darling, happy ending, not beta-read, this got much longer than i anticipated....)

Lan Sizhui bolted awake from a dream. Something must not be forgotten. But what was it? There was so much vivid detail… if only he could remember.

His dreams have become more vivid since he returned to Cloud Recesses. Sizhui assumed his visit to Burial Mounds with Wen Ning was the root cause. The visit had unlocked so many memories from before Cloud Recesses. Lately, these memories would present themselves as dreams. The dreams weren’t nightmares but they did overwhelm Sizhui with scenes from the Wen remnant camp -- Lady Wen bantering with Senior Wei, Granny Wen taking care of everyone, 4th uncle making fruit wine, the desolate landscape being coaxed back to life by Senior Wei’s wild ideas.

Tonight’s dream brought Sizhui back to a day when Wen Ning and Senior Wei had gone into town to sell turnips. After returning, Senior Wei seemed distracted. Although he tried to hide it, Wen Ning, Wen Qing, Granny Wen, and even little A-Yuan could tell something was amiss. Suddenly, Senior Wei stood up and announced he would explore new culinary options for their establishment by growing lotus. Sizhui smiled at the memory of Senior Wei knee deep in mud, rambling about lotus roots and lotus pods.

Lotus roots and lotus pods! Of course! That night Wen Ning had brought a cold bowl of soup to feed him. It was Sizhui’s first taste of lotus root. Little bits of congealed fat floated on top of broth in a small green porcelain bowl. Wen Ning fed him a spoonful at first to see if he would like it. The richness of the fat was balanced by the sweetness of the broth and--

Sizhui’s eyes widened and he jumped out of bed. It was early October, towards the end of lotus root season and getting exceedingly close to Senior Wei’s birthday. He must speak with Hanguang-Jun. Senior Wei often attempted impossible seeming things; it was Sizhui’s turn this time.

----

“Hanguang-Jun, I would like to request permission to visit Yunmeng and Lotus Pier for the purpose of obtaining materials for a birthday present for Senior Wei,” Lan Sizhui proclaimed, kneeling before his father.

Lan Wangji put down the papers he was reading and stared at his son. “A birthday present?”

“Yes. I would also like to invite Sect Leaders Jiang and Jin to visit Cloud Recesses in late October for Senior Wei’s birthday.” Sizhui did not look up.

“Sizhui, I expected more sense from you. Sect Leaders Jiang and Jin’s relationship with Wei Ying is complicated,” Lan Wangji picked up the papers and continued reading.

“Hanguang-Jun, I promise to exercise good judgement. Please indulge me in this,” Sizhui said undaunted. “I want to… to attempt the impossible.”

At the Yunmeng motto, Lan Wangji gazed intently at his son. No, Sizhui was also Wei Ying’s son, which meant he would want to attempt something crazy. But if he’s anything like Wei Ying, that crazy just might work. “Alright. Proceed. Take sufficient provisions and Jingyi with you.”

“Thank you Hanguang-Jun!” Sizhui looked up with a huge smile plastered on his face. “I will go find Jingyi immediately.”

---

The next few weeks passed quickly. Sizhui and Jingyi hermitted themselves outside the walls of Cloud Recesses. Other disciples reported that the two juniors made multiple trips between Yunmeng and Gusu, hauling baskets with them every trip.

By the time Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling arrived at Cloud Recesses, Sizhui and Jingyi felt ready to show Wei Wuxian their efforts.

“Sect Leader Jiang, Sect Leader Jin,” Sizhui said, bowing at the uncle and nephew duo. “Please follow me this way.” He led them to the student dormitories where Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Yanli stayed during their time studying at Cloud Recesses.

Stepping over the bamboo threshold, Jiang Cheng, took in the sight of the old stone tables and benches. Memories of Wei Wuxian carrying cooked fish on sticks and Jiang Yanli serving soup filled his head. Swallowing, Jiang Cheng reminded himself those memories were from half a lifetime ago. He would never get to have A-Jie’s soup or be so comfortable with Wei Wuxian again.

Jin Ling looked around the dormitories with disdain. “Why did you bring us here? Are we not guests?”

Sizhui bowed politely, “Lan sect rule dictates that food within Cloud Recesses proper must be vegetarian. I have prepared a meal for you that requires our eating outside of Cloud Recesses grounds. Afterwards, Jingyi and I will personally escort Sect Leader Jiang and Jin to your rooms within Cloud Recesses, if you desire.”

As he spoke, he noticed Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stepping across the threshold. “Hanguang-Jun, Senior Wei! Please, have a seat here. I cannot wait to get your feedback on my cooking!” Sizhui beamed at his fathers and ushered them to sit down next to Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling. He then hurried towards the kitchens.

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian exchanged polite nods. Jin Ling folded his arms across his chest and eyed Lan Wangji cautiously. Lan Wangji watched Jiang Cheng with a mildly disinterested expression.

Wei Wuxian broke the tension, “I don’t know what our son is thinking, inviting you two over and cooking for us… but he’s such a good kid, let’s just indulge him.”

“He’s older than I am!” Jin Ling started to argue.

“Yes. But isn’t it nice that your Sizhui-gege is cooking you dinner?” Wei Wuxian smiled dismissively and reached over to pat Jin Ling on the head.

“You-” Jin Ling’s outcry was cut off by Jiang Cheng.

“Wei Wuxian, he is now the Jin Clan Sect Leader. Show him respect.”

Wei Wuxian gave his estranged brother an awkward smile, nodded, and pulled back his hand. “Right. Right. I shouldn’t disrespect a sect leader like this.” He looked away at an old wutong tree in the courtyard. The branches were almost bare.

Jiang Cheng huffed, “At least you have the decency to sound like a human.”

At this time, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi started bringing out dishes. Two green and two white vegetarian dishes were placed on the table interspersed with bright red, oily, meat based dishes. In the middle, Sizhui set down a tray with an earthenware pot.

“Senior Wei, Sect Leader Jiang,” Sizhui paused and took a deep breath. His next words rushed out, as if he would lose the courage to speak them if he slowed down. “I recently remembered a delicious bowl of cold soup I had as a child. I have attempted to recreate it for you two. I don’t know if you’ll like it but I made sure to try my recipe both while it was hot and after it had fully cooled down. I would like you to know I mean no disrespect, but thought maybe it would bring back happy memories.” With that, Sizhui lifted the lid of the pot, revealing lotus root and pork rib soup.

As the steam rose into the cold October air, Jingyi and Sizhui quickly served the soup to the four people sitting around the table.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng’s hands trembled as they took their bowls of soup. When the steam hit his face, Wei Wuxian breathed in the steam. The rich meat aroma of the pork ribs were cut by a barely perceptible hint of ginger and sweetness of lotus. Sizhui had managed to recreate Shijie’s soup’s aroma. He quickly spooned some broth into his mouth. The fat and the sweet and the pork flavors melded together just like Shijie’s. He looked over at Jiang Cheng and noticed Jiang Cheng had become blurry.

“Hey, Jiang Cheng, my son did a pretty good job, didn’t he?” Wei Wuxian asked, blinking back tears.

“He’s never had it before. He’s never met her before. How? I’ve tried and I can’t even recreate it like this,” Jiang Cheng answered, too shocked to argue. He shook his head and blinked twice, forcing his own tears back.

“Sect Leader Jiang, I did have the soup once, when I was a child. Wen Ning brought it back to me in the Burial Mounds after he and Senior Wei went to town to sell turnips.”

Jiang Cheng looked up at Sizhui incredulously, “And you remembered it?”

Sizhui’s face softened into a wistful smile. “When it’s the most amazing food you’ve had for over a year, it stands out. I had forgotten after Hanguang-Jun brought me here but I remembered again recently. I wanted to try my hand at it since I enjoy cooking. Jingyi and I bought the lotus from Yunmeng and flew it back by sword for this soup. Is it satisfactory? Do you like it, Jin Ling?”

Jin Ling looked between Wei Wuxian, Lan Sizhui, and his uncle. “Did I miss the significance of this soup? It’s really good, but it’s just soup, right?”

“Jin Ling, Sizhui here has duplicated the best soup in the world! This is what your mom’s lotus root and pork rib soup tastes like exactly. You can’t make it unless you use fresh Yunmeng lotus root.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was soft as he explained to Jin Ling. He didn’t know whether to cry at the realization that Jin Ling didn’t know what A-jie’s soup tasted like or to laugh knowing someone else alive can make itl.

“Why didn’t you just ask to cook at Lotus Pier?” Jiang Cheng asked, turning to Sizhui. “Lotus root isn’t light and it’s a long way to travel.”

“We did not feel it appropriate to impose,” Sizhui answered, studying Jin Ling who stared at the soup and started savoring it slowly.

“Nonsense, we’re all family. Your parents pretty much got married at Lotus Pier, or did they fail to mention that?” Jiang Cheng replied with a wave of his hand. “That means you’re more or less part of the Jiang family too.”

“No, we had no right to be there that night. I had been kicked out of the Jiang sect,” Wei Wuxian spoke up, tone bitter.

“You know as well as I do that it was all originally for show. Had you not told me to give up on you, I would have tried to protect you those years ago. Had A-Jie and Jin Zixuan not been murdered, we probably would have found a way to protect all the Wen remnants too.”

“Yunmeng wasn’t strong enough yet. You know Jin Guangshan and Jin Guangyao wanted my Yinhufu and would have done anything to get it. And those reasons don’t change the fact that you kicked me out.”

Jin Ling looked between his uncles as they argued, piecing together their family history. He continued to savor the soup as if no other food would ever be able to satiate him. Tears formed in his eyes but this time warmth started replacing the loneliness in his chest.

“Fine, I un-kick you out then. I’m in charge. I can do that. I’ll eat my words just like you ate yours. Even if you married into the Gusu Lan sect, you can come back to Yunmeng Jiang whenever you want. I --”

Jiang Cheng’s words were cut off by Wei Wuxian flinging his arms around his brother. “Last time I was so stupid. Last time I pushed you away. I’ve learned from Lan Zhan how to express my feelings more directly and --”

“Lan Wangji?! He doesn’t emote at all! How can you learn from him?” Jiang Cheng hollered, elbowing Wei Wuxian out of the way. He pointed a finger at Lan Wangji. “Look at him. He’s had the same expression on his face since you two stepped into this courtyard!”

Wei Wuxian punched Jiang Cheng in the shoulder. “It’s not my fault you’re too emotionally stunted to read facial expressions.”

He then turned to Jin Ling and started serving the young sect leader more soup, “Drink up Jin Ling. Don’t pay attention to your uncle’s lack of emotional depth. You can learn what good relationships are like by hanging out with me and Lan Zhan.”

“Drink up, Jin Ling. Don’t listen to your Uncle Wei. He’s too idiotically in love to make sense.”

After serving themselves, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi sat down at the table to eat. Sizhui nodded at his father and slightly bowed his head, ”What do you think, Hanguang-Jun, did I achieve it?”

Lan Wangji’s lips pulled back a millimeter while watching his husband reconnect with Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling, “Mn. Cloud Recesses will become even more lively.”

#untamed spring fest #fresh #food cw #lsz is a great cook #jl will probably need therapy #jc and wwx work through some things #lwj dotes on his husband and his kid #lwj #wwx #lsz #wangxian but not wangxian focused #ljy as a bkgd character #domesticity #wangxian fluff

66 notes · View notes

somepinkthing · 5 years

Text

NHS’s a very flexible character that exists almost entirely in the gray zone. He doesn’t seem to stick to any strong moral code and yet we’re given the impression that he does know where the lines are drawn. And while he’s willing to cross them, he never strays too far. This manages simultaneously make him one of the most ruthless characters AND one of the only characters in the series who’s serious about minimizing death. It also means he’ll accept the consequences, acknowledge how many people he could potentially hurt, and try and minimize it as much as possible BUT he still hides himself at the end of it all.

NHS is perfectly in between. Ambitious and yet not at all. Respectful of life but still willing to lose one or two people to obtain revenge. Consumed by rage but responsible enough to know he couldn’t just go off and do whatever he wanted because of that. He’s presented as someone who will go any length yet all his plans indicate that he has a strong enough understanding of how far is too far. He openly hated his leadership position and showed no interest in sect matters and yet he was very careful to keep his sect and his disciples out of harm’s way the entire time. Genuinely a coward but unrelenting in the face of danger. Has a lofty plan with no guarantee of satisfaction even if he does succeed but he uses obtainable benchmarks and is flexible to changes. He obviously was capable of loving deeply and unconditionally but we rarely saw him show it from behind his mask. Ruthless but doesn’t take human life lightly. A coward and a hero. Highly emotional yet extremely exact and careful. Emotionally intelligent but oddly distant with most. In him existed almost no heroic traits and yet he kept his wits about him while charging headfirst into a dangerous situation and snatched a decisive victory. His brother’s legacy and his foil–a middle point between NMJ and JGY

I think the question of righteousness versus reality are better defined in NHS than in JGY because of this nature too. JGY, for all that he claimed not to be, was a very emotional man with many delusions of his own. He was a man that legitimately thought all of his actions were reasonable and anyone who listened would agree with him. On the other hand, NHS was simultaneously reaching for the stars with his plans but still managed to keep one foot in reality. He knew what he had to work with, knew when he was doing right and when he was crossing a line, and didn’t delude himself into thinking he could get the world on his side. He remained single-mindedly focused on his revenge for ten years and yet showed that he was aware that he still had a life to live and responsibilities to fulfill afterwards by how he carefully planned it out so that nothing would befall on his sect after it was all said and done. Ultimately, he stopped a maniac, avenged his brother, and ended the story with the least amount of innocent blood on his hands. Did that make his way the right way to do things? Who knows. But laying out the facts, it isn’t like you can really call NHS a villain when put side by side with the rest of the cast. But putting motives and morality into the equation, it’s also not as if you can say he was the hero either.

He knew the risk of sending the disciples to Yi City so he made sure to time it with getting wangxian there. It was one group in one city, a controlled environment. Same with what happened at the Mo estate. NHS tries to control how many people will be put in danger and tries to incorporate ways to get as many people out alive as possible. It didn’t always work out perfectly–for example, jin ling got caught up both in the man-eating castle mystery NHS probably helped set up for wangxian AND at the final showdown (which is honestly hilarious to me like 10 years of planning almost ruined twice because jiang wanyin couldn’t manage to keep his kid on a leash). Also the poison ended up failing to kill JGY so he had to get LXC to do it last minute. But he still tried to minimize the people involved in a way that other characters didn’t really seem to think about until it was too late. Arguably the only innocent blood that was really left on NHS’s hands was Mo Xuanyu’s, and he wasn’t exactly unwilling or coerced--he had an agenda too. I suppose the Mo family were caught in the crossfire but tbh I can’t really bring myself to think that they didn’t have it coming. Everyone else got to go home relatively unharmed in the end. In comparison, how many collateral deaths did JGY cause? WWX? Jiang cheng? Even people like NMJ and LXC both participated in a bloody war and in the first siege of the burial mounds? How many more did they hurt because of their lack of planning and preparation? Preparation that NHS did do? How many lives weren’t lost during this whole ordeal simply because NHS didn’t blindly follow his heart?

That being said, it’s not absolution even if you consider NHS a hero. I don’t doubt NHS knew full well that there was a risk of collateral damage with what he was trying to do. I don’t doubt he very carefully set out what was acceptable risk and what wasn’t. I’m not saying he didn’t do any of that. What I am saying is that other characters who weren’t as calculating ended up hurting far more people partially because they didn’t stop to think about the logistics–what could happen, what was acceptable, what would be gained versus what it could cost. These sound like cold and unpleasant thoughts but we come to realize through the mistakes of other characters that never considering them is wildly irresponsible too. So was it worth it? Was it worse for NHS to have done it this way instead of going all out in a fit of rage? Would carrying out justice the “right way” have been worth the damage it might have done? Which would have been more morally acceptable? I think these are questions he asks himself too, especially after it’s all said and done and he’s able to breath for the first time in year, is able to finally see without the red tint of rage

NHS is a perfectly gray character. I’m not too sure he even understands all his motives. Half the time it’s emotion, half the time is calculated, most of the time it’s a mix of both. He’s flexible and stubborn. A hero and a minor antagonist. He hurt far less people but his methods are definitely questionable at some points. It’s hard to tell with him probably because he doesn’t even have a good grasp of himself. He came into his own in a fit of rage and grief and probably a fair bit of fear. Like most of the other characters, he had to act fast to survive and never would have had the time to parse through all his feelings

#nie huaisang #meta #nhs #jin guangyao #JGY #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation #gdc #founder of diabloism #the untamed #mdzs meta #meng yao #nie mingjue

488 notes · View notes

peter-parkourwrites · 5 years

Text

Heartbreak Summer 3

Bucky Barnes x Reader, College AU

Summary: James Buchanan Barnes broke your heart two years ago. Now, after settling down finally in college with your group of old and new friends, he ́s transferred into your school, and maybe back into your heart.

Word Count: uhhh idk

Warnings: angst, swearing, mentions of death, slight thor x reader, jealous buckaroo, crying, fluff if you squint

A/N: TAG LIST IS OPEN!! Also uhhh sorry this is a lil late my laptop is broken and i can’t use the schools to post it here so i had to improvise and use my phone for it so thats also why it’s not edited completely 😤 but thank you for reading 💖

Feedback is always appreciated! Thanks for reading loves, I hope you guys like it!

*Gif not mine, credit to owner*

series masterlist

It’s hard to actually pinpoint the exact moment you fell for Bucky, it always has been. Maybe it was when you met. Steve had invited you and Wanda out to one of their highschool football games because he knew Tony would tag along, and you were almost certain he would ask if he was coming. That night he simply ignored anything anyone besides Tony said, leaving yourself, Bucky, Sam, and Wanda to chat. Bucky's whole aura made you giddy, he kept you on your toes and laughing. His blue eyes reminding you of an ocean, that you wouldn’t mind drowning in. Or maybe it was when he saw you walking home in the pouring rain and offered you a ride in his mom's minivan.

Sure, you tell people forever. But that’s only because you’re a bit prone to dramatics. James Buchanan Barnes had your heart, and always would. No matter how many people you dated, you’d always be his. And you realized that, lying awake at five am, the sunrise peeking in through the windows, and showing how much dust you really had in the small room.

“Steve I told you, it’s fine. I’m not mad. A little annoyed, but not mad. I just wish you would have told me.” You sighed, taking the cup of coffee his outstretched arm was holding. “Besides I am so over him. And I have more important shit to focus on than thinking about old flames.”

“What like school? Psh that shit is boring.”

“Wow I must be in another world, first Bucky comes back, and now Steve Rogers is saying ‘shit’? I should just head down to the psych unit in the medical department.” You tease, bringing the cup up to your lips.

“Please, (y/n/n) you work on that floor anyways.”

“Hey! It’s not by choice you idiot, my professor wants us to switch things up every few weeks. But thankfully I start my internship soon.”

“With professor Coulson?”

“Yeah.” You hum and walk over to the couch, that has a plethora of pillows tossed about. “Starting on the pediatric floor I think.” You mumble into the cup of coffee as you slowly lift it up to your lips for another ling sip.

Steve sits across from you on the old black recliner he’s had since you could remember. He loved that squeaky old thing. Even if everytime he actually reclined in it, it’d send him flying violently backwards.

“That’ll be cool, you’ve always been good with kids.”

“Only because of Becca, I called her earlier and told her about it, and she reminded me of when Bucky, you and I had to take care of her. Man that whole weekend was a mess.”

“Yeah we had to beg his parents not to leave us alone for the weekend ever again.” He laughed, crossing an arm over his chest like he was on SNL. You rolled your eyes and finished the rest of the coffee.

“Oh whatever, anyways thanks for letting me come over at ungodly hours.” You grinned, kicking your legs up on the rest of the couch and craning your head to the side to look at him. Steve nodded and placed his cup on the table.

“I’m always here to talk, you know that (Y/N).”

“Don’t get all sappy on me now.” You groaned, grabbing a pillow from beside you and tossed it at him. He caught it without a glance and turned on the TV. “Showoff…” You muttered, crossing your arms over your chest and turning to face the now illuminated screen, as a rerun of Law and Order started playing.

You and Steve lounged around for a good hour and a half, now being around seven. He got up to make breakfast for everyone while you clicked through the guide.

“You guys have shitty TV, this is all football.” You moaned, dramatically flopping against the back of the couch. “Don’t you guys ever watch anything interesting? Like The Simpsons, or Criminal Minds? At least one of you has to be a sucker for crime documentaries.”

“That would be me.” Sam announced his arrival as he walked out from the hallway and to the front door as a rapid knocking was heard. He pulled open the door and Tony came rushing in, hair disheveled and eyes wide.

“I thought you died!” He yelled, waving his arms around wildly in your direction.

“We told you she wasn’t dead.” Nat said with a groan as she walked in behind him, dragging a half asleep Wanda behind her. “Hey hun, he woke us up yelling that you were gone.”

“He made up,” Wanda yawned, “So many theories…” She groaned and flopped down on the couch, laying her head on your thighs. You chuckled and patted her forehead, continuing to scroll past the plethora of sports channels.

“Like what?” You asked, turning your head slightly to glance at Tony. He was having a hushed chat with Steve and turned his attention back to you, now holding a steaming cup of coffee.

“Oh ya know, you an Buckaroo getting back together, you got drunk and left the apartment without even knowing, or Thor had asked you to go over for a quickie.”

“Gross!” You hissed, chucking the remote at him. It went sailing past him and landed on the floor with a thud. “We do not have quickies.” You muttered, crossing your arms over your chest and letting out a huff of air.

“Hey does anyone know how Buck takes his coffee?” Steve asked, eyes scanning over the different creamers.

“Black with two sugars. Unless it’s from Starkbucks, then creamer. Says it’s too bitter” You said, the words flying out of your mouth before you could even stop them. The kitchen went silent and you faked innocence as Nat raised a brow at you for an explanation. “What?!” You yelped and raised your hand in defense. “We dated for three years, and it's not like it’s that hard to remember.”

“Uh-huh just keep telling yourself that you love sick fool.”

“Tony shut up I am not.”

“Yes you are.”

“No.”

“Yessss.” He said in a sing-song voice as Steve walked over with a plate of pancakes. Wanda sat up from your lap, only to move beside you. Nat sat on the floor next to Sam who kept picking food off her plate, you could have sworn Nat threatened to stab him at least twice. Steve sat in his usual recliner, and Tony sprawled out next to you on the couch.

“Jesus what did I miss?” Bucky’s raspy morning voice filled your ears, and you shuddered, a chill running down your spine. You shook it off by reaching for the syrup.

“Pancakes and yelling.” Wanda beamed up at him before grabbing the syrup from your hand. “Share.” She muttered, sending you a glare. You stuck your tongue out at her before beginning to dig in to your second pancake.

“(Y/N) never shares her food.” Bucky chuckled and began fixing two plates of food. Shooting him a cold glare, you finally looked at him. His long locks were an absolute mess, per-usual in the mornings, he had black basketball shorts, hanging low on his waist and he was shirtless. You gulped, your eyes not daring to scan his god like body.

But you failed, like usual. And oh you wished you hadn’t looked. He still looked as if he was sculpted by the gods, that much was obvious but there we small red and purple marks littering his collarbones. Hickies.

You gulped down the last bite of your food and with a shaky hand, placed the plate on the coffee table.

Sensing your mood change Nat sat up, but still chewed on her blueberry pancakes. Wanda already had a hand pressed up against your lower back, but you brushed her off as you stood up.

“Actually James, I do, just not with you.” You muttered, before walking over to your stuff. You pulled Thor’s sweatshirt from the back of your chair and slipped it over your head, then stuffed your phone into your pocket. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have class and I’d rather not be here when your little… plaything wakes up.” With that, you opened the door, stepped out, and slammed it shut. Then you took off down the hall to your own apartment and threw yourself in.

“Fuck fuck fuck!” You chanted, tripping over furniture, tears already spilling from your eyes.

You did have class, that much was true. Then you had a study group with some lower-classmen you were helping in biology. So you weren’t really lying, even if it was at noon, not eight in the morning. But you had to get out of there, you could barely hold yourself together seeing him alone after a one night stand, but seeing him with the girl? No way in hell you would have kept it together. Not like this.

You wiped the tears off your cheeks, rubbing under your eyes. Red cheeks replaced the pale ones you had moments before, and the bags under your eyes were way more noticeable. Turning on the faucet, you splash your face with cold water and run your fingers through your hair.

“Get it together…” You muttered, not even wanting to look at yourself in such a disheveled state.

“No that’s not right.” Peter’s voice became a distant memory, your head falling limp in your palm as you fought against the sleep that was pulling your eyelids closed.

After the mini reality check from earlier, you managed to take a quick shower, and throw your hair up into a ponytail. You looked presentable at best, but it was better than not showing up at all. You managed to toss on one of Thor’s old sweatshirts you stole, along with a pair of leggings, and some slippers. Because the weather was surprisingly cold for early fall.

“Sorry, what?” You blinked as MJ tapped your shoulder.

“Peter wants to know why blood sugar levels are so important.” She mumbled, not even sparing you a glance, her nose dug into a book.

“Because, Our blood sugar refers to how much glucose is present in the blood. Glucose is important for cells to be able to make energy and build other complex carbohydrates. However, too much glucose can be toxic for the body. So we need to know if it becomes too much, or too little. You should know this.”

“And you Miss (Y/N), shouldn’t be falling asleep.” Peter teased, sticking his tongue out at you as you shot him a glare.

“Listen kid, I didn’t sleep last night and I haven’t had enough coffee. Stark is dropping me off some.”

“Just get the coffee from the front desk.”

“Parker I am going to pretend you didn’t just say that. Library coffee is horrible. I need fresh brewed from home, or Dunkin.”

“Oh or that nice little place on Manhattan blvd.” Ned added and you nodded, shooting him a warm smile.

“Yes, the absolute best.”

“I heard my name.” Tony said with a grin as he placed the steaming cup in front of you.

“If you mean the absolute worst? Then yes, yes you did.”

“Harsh, I have been wounded. Maybe I’ll just drink this coffee myself.” The brunette mutters, pulling the cup just out of your reach and taking a small sip. You shriek violently and fling your textbook at him. Tony simply steps out of the way before shooting you a sly grin.

You let out an annoyed groan, standing up from the chair and picking up your textbook, and that's when Tony really sees what you're wearing.

He knows this small step back into what you used to be, like dipping your toe into the pool to test the water before diving in.

Under Thor’s blue sweatshirt, is one of Bucky's red henleys. He had plenty, they were his favorite shirt. And he’d be damned if they ever got stolen… by anyone other than you of course.

Tony's breath catches in his throat as you yank the sweater back over the fabric to refrain from prying eyes of passerbys, your friends, and most importantly Bucky.

“Y/N-”

“Please don’t…” You choke out, holding back a soft cry. He nods, understanding, but not ready to completely let it all go. He places a gentle hand on your wrist and waits for you to look up at him. Your eyes are slowly turning puffy and red, even more so than they already were. Your free hand is picking at imaginary lint and he lets out a sigh.

“Okay… not here.” He confirms and shakes his head at your pleading face, that's begging him to drop the subject completely.

Tony doesn’t give in to the puppy dog eyes that make everyone else but him and Natasha melt. He places a short peck to your forehead, hands you your coffee and walks off after saying a quick hello to Peter.

You clear your throat, take a small sip of the now lukewarm liquid and sit back down in the creaky hard chair.

“Sorry, where were we?” You ask, looking around the room instead of the freshman in front of you.

“Lets get some lunch.” MJ announces, abruptly standing up and shoving her books into her bag, clearly over the study session.

Of course she was done with the study session, anymore talk about isotopes and she might have exploded. But she also noticed how uncomfortable you got when Tony had started whispering to you. She had some inkling as to why. When you were a senior in highschool, she was a freshman. It was uncommon for the two classes to mingle but you and her got along great. Her, Peter, and Ned were tossed into an AP Calculus class, and you of course had gotten stuck with them. But it wasn't all bad, yourself and MJ had often made snarky comments towards the boys, and would mumble obscenities under your breath as the teacher would get things mixed up. MJ was observant, and quite the character, so when you and Bucky had split up, she knew it immediately.

Everyone was truly shocked when you both split. Bucky had left for Europe the day after, and you showed up to school, alone, with puffy eyes. She recalls when you were taking your final the next day you had ran out in the middle of it, tears pooling down your cheeks.

And she resented him a little for it, but then again she didn ́t know what happened, and she didn't know why, and she didn't know Bucky.

But it wasn't like it was rocket science to figure out that he was what had you so shaken up. MJ heard a rumor about him coming back, but refrained from saying anything because… a rumor is just that, a stupid rumor. And she didn't want to upset you if she didn't have to.

“I want the extra crispy grilled cheese.”

“You get that every time Ned.” MJ grumbled as she scanned over the blackboard that held all the options on the menu.

“Okay but it’s really good.” You chimed in grinning at MJ, you pulled out your wallet as everyone ordered and reached out to pay. Peter shrieked and smacked at your hand, shaking his head.

“No no no my treat, you always help us with studying and we don’t even pay you. Let me get this.”

“Such a gentleman…” You cooed, giving him a cheeky grin. “But its work study so I get paid anyways.” Peter simply shrugged you off and handed the cash to the cashier, who grunted in response. You recognized the kid from your Economics class, and attempted to wave but he simply turned away to grab your food.

“I still don’t see why you didn’t want to go out tonight.” Wanda muttered as she handed you a bag of goldfish to snack on.

“Because I have homework, and I have an econ test to study for. Plus it’s movie night.”

“Econ can suck my dick.”

“Who’s sucking whose dick?” Sam muttered as he flopped down on the love seat, hanging his feet off the side.

“Econ is sucking Wanda's dick because I didn’t want to go out.”

“Well it is movie night Wands, we can't just skip it.” Nat hissed, curling up on the longer couch, settling herself comfortably beside Wanda.

“Not like everyone shows up all the time.” Wanda muttered before leaning forward and cradling the warm cup in her hands. “Where the hell are Steve and the other asshole. Or were going to start without them.”

“Relax ladies we’re here.” Bucky announced, giving Sam and cheeky grin. He nudged his legs off the side to sit, but Sam shook his head and kicked his legs back up.

“What movie’s first?” Steve asked pulling out the large box of DVD’s from behind the TV stand.

It was a large clear plastic bin with half scratched off stickers. The memories of Becca sticking them all over Bucky’s things was fresh in your mind as you stared off into the distance. She’d constantly have any sort of glittery, scented, or stickers with her favorite foods on them. When Bucky had shown up to take you to prom, there was a pink glittery heart on his shoulder.

“I vote we watch Terminator.”

“Sam we always watch that movie.”

“Yeah well get used to it (Y/N) it’s a good movie.”

“Well I for one think we should watch The Princess Bride.” Wanda announced as she dug her hand into a bag of M&M’s.

“Nope, we’re watching The Lost Boys.” You said, standing up and grabbing the box out of Steve's hand. He rolled his eyes and stood up, moving to sit in your spot.

“That shitty eighties movie about the vampires? No thanks.” Sam groaned and took a handful of popcorn from the bowl. You scoffed, placing the disk in the player and turning to face him, your hands resting on your hips.

“Shut your trap, it’s a good movie.” You hissed, sticking your tongue out at him. He gave you a playful wink and turned his attention to the screen. Surveying the area around you, you noticed Steve was now occupying your seat. Pursing your lips, a small groan left your lips. The only empty seat was next to Bucky.

Unwillingly you trudged over and plopped down beside him, your heart obviously had a different plan from your brain.

Curling your legs up into your chest, and resting your head on your knees you relaxed as best as you could beside him and focused on the movie.

The movie played quietly in the background of your thoughts as you wondered why he came back. You thought he loved it over there, from what Steve had told you, he was having a wonderful time. But then again, Steve was never good with translating sarcasm. No matter if it was in person or over text. He sucked at it, plain and simple.

Bucky also wondered why he came back sometimes. He missed his friends, his sister, and his home… you.

Bucky had always lived a hectic life. He grew up beside Steve, ever since birth they had been close. Their mothers were friends so it was only natural the pair would become close.

Steve eventually went from a scrawny kid with asthma who had a knack for fighting bullies to, Steve the football player, no longer stricken with the burden of not being able to breathe. A chick magnet, who was so kind to girls it was almost unbelievable he hadn’t dated anyone.

And then Steve met Y/N. You became fast friends and Bucky could have sworn you knew one another since you were born just like him and Steve. He had met you in sophomore year. Three years, and Steve had finally introduced him to you. But it wasn’t just simple you. Bucky was introduced to the person who changed his life. A beautiful girl who he swore made his heart beat louder than it ever had. But of course, Bucky thought you and Steve were in love. You were the only one who he allowed to refer to him as ‘Stevie.’ He hated that nickname, but not when you said it. So Bucky backed off, until your large group of friends all got smashed at a party and Steve embarrassingly kissed some dude on the track team. You practically burst with joy for him for finally doing it and all Bucky could do was sit there, beer in a cup now warming due to the burning in his hand, where you gripped it in pure joy for your shared best friend.

It was then that Bucky had made it his plan to get you to fall for him in the same way he fell for you. It was easier said than done, but he eventually won your heart.

You became his favorite person. The one he would constantly visit, and stop whatever he was doing to see you. You became his home.

He thought your voice was smooth like honey, and as sweet as the sugar his mom would put on his cheerios when he was younger. Your voice would seep into the cracks of his soul, to remind him he’d always have you.

He even had you now, as your head rested against his shoulder, the rest of your body slumped against the back of the couch. Soft snores rang through his ears, focusing only on you. He’d be damned if he or anyone else woke you up. The movie ended about an hour ago, and everyone had gone to bed. But not without some snide or silly comments on how you were cuddled up against him.

However, he paid no mind to them. All he thought about was how he missed your arms around him, your body heat radiating off of you, keeping him impossibly warm. The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla filled his nostrils as he relaxed all parts of his body but his right arm where you were curled up against. An odd position, yeah but for you? He’d fall out of a plane if it meant keeping you safe. (I’m sorry forgive me for that reference lol)

He felt you stir beside him, and Bucky froze, his breath halted in his lungs as he very slowly glanced down towards you. Your face scrunched up as you wiped at your cheek, after pulling up from his shoulder. Your eyes blinked open, and Bucky quietly watched your eyelashes kiss at your cheeks every time they fluttered shut. He froze again, praying you wouldn’t freak out, and that you’d calmly get up and go to bed, or curl up next to him again.

You chose neither and sat up fully, hunching forward and grabbing the remote from the coffee table.

“‘Nother movie?” You asked, leaning back against the couch and looking over at him. He nodded and focused his gaze on the screen as you chose a crappy netflix original. “ ‘M sorry for falling asleep on you by the way…” You mumbled, running your fingers through your hair. Bucky let out a faint chuckle and shook his head.

“I’m happy to be your headrest doll, long as you don’t drool.”

“Shut up Buck, that was one time…” You groaned, lightly punching his shoulder. He just shook his head and kept his eyes trained on your face, and he swore he saw a hint of a smile curling at your lips.

Smiling at him? Maybe, he could only hope.

Discarding the thought, much to fast for his own taste, he busied himself by grabbing some popcorn and tossing it into his mouth.

Maybe one day he’d work up the courage to actually talk to you, not some silly banter that was somewhere on the cusp of anger and misread feelings from old times… maybe.

—

TAGLIST: @thatsbucknasty @itz-kira @cassandras-musings @petlaufeyson @itzmegaaaaaaan @ambrosesnerd @thatoneslytherinbeater @sebastianstan-posts @retrxbarnes @nervosaa @vvinch3st3r @lost-in-t-h-e-abyss @spn-obession @greeneyedgirls4 @learisa @avipshamitra @uaterer @aletteredaffair @formulafun @smexy-bucky-waifu @jitterbuck @marvelsbitxh @justanothergirlwithdemons @blueeyedboobear @ladymidnightt @greatballsofeffingfire @kaithezaftig @cookies186 @mywinterwolf @buckysthing @postredetucora @coraz0ndcristal @mc225g @section-79 @eves-library

#avengers x reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x you #college au #student!bucky barnes #bucky barnes college au #the winter solider x reader #james buchanan barnes #james barnes x reader #white wolf x reader #steve rogers #natasha romanoff #wanda maximoff #peter parker #sam wilson #tomy stark #thor x reader

176 notes · View notes

zetalial · 4 years

Text

FMA fanfiction recs!

Hey, so in my recent fma survey, I asked people for FMA fanfiction! And they delivered, yay! Thank you. I decided to make them into a nice list for all to see.

You’re very sweet, Anon but I’m afraid it’s already too late. This ended up quite, quite long. And I’m amazed at how long some of these stories are - if you’re looking for stuff to read, hopefully this list will occupy you for a while, (especially if you check some of the author’s other works).

Most of these I have not read, but hey, they were recced so they’ve got to be good, right? Range of ships and stories from both canons. I’ve included the ships but haven’t included ratings so be warned that some of these may be explicit. (The author will probably indicate it themselves though.)

Full list under cut!

-Fullmetal’s Company by Roseveare | 18434 words | Gen, takes place pre-series. | Ed should have never flashed the silver pocketwatch in a warzone.

-A Wicked Game by Tierfal | 59921 words | RoyEd, Modern!AU | Roy has lucked into the all-expenses-paid vacation of his dreams – all he has to do is convince a bunch of happy couples that he's head-over-heels in love with Ed Elric. What could possibly go wrong?

-Be light from now on by Merel | 2363 words | GreedLing, Modern!AU | “Let’s go inside, sweetheart.” Cat café

-Number 28 by Sevlow | 63347 words | Gen, Parental RoyEd, divergence | As of today, Edward Elric had been missing for four months, two weeks, and five days. Warnings for angst, some gore, and Chimera!Ed.

-In the Gaslight by UnorthodoxCreativity |13542 words | RoyEd | Ed hates military parties. This is no surprise. But when a certain bastard of a colonel takes it into his head to make Ed's night a happier one, well. Ed's not complaining.

-Through the Gate by PreelikesWriting | 3 part series totalling 252736 words | Harry Potter crossover with BH Ed Pre-promised day covering books 5-7 of the HP books. Last part is still incomplete. | Edward is transported to the Wizarding world and must fight his way back home.

-Playing God by the Flamel Cult | 44445 words | Harry Potter crossover | I thought the dull aching was something other than my demise. As it turned out, I was sorely mistaken. Perhaps I should listen to Alphonse more; maybe then there wouldn't be another bloody tragedy that would, inevitably, end it all. For good.

-snipers solve 99% of all problems by silentwalrus | 134066 words | Harry Potter crossover, incomplete post-Promised day | Ed had thought, after the whole Promised Day, homunculus, entire country harvested for alchemical batteries thing, the batshit quotient of his life would have settled down some. He really ought to have topped out the meter with that one. But no. The bullshit is just getting started.“Are you fucking kidding me,” Ed demands. “The wizards?”

-Harry Potter and the Eastern Sage by LiteratureWork | 141609 words | Harry Potter Crossover Brotherhood incomplete | Nicholas Flamel was famous for creating the philosopher's stone, but like Lockhart's smile it was all a lie. Flamel stole a part of the stone and it took Edward 642 years to get it back along with the souls inside of it, one which was his brother. But after traveling to Hogwarts to retrieve it, Dumbledore has other plans for the ancient hero.

-Reversed by Autzulfrost | 162206 words | Harry Potter crossover post 03 anime | At the end of the first anime, Ed is sent back to London. But he's a kid again and through a twist of fate gets involved with the wizarding world. Will the alchemist help save wizarding Britain? Will he find a way to return to his home and true family?

-Stray Hayate by Famousfault | 3436 words| Harry Potter crossover | Hayate had no idea how he had ended up there, but he had no other choice but to accept the situation. Harry at the other hand is not quite as satisfied with it.

-Demon Alchemist by Metisket | Series, 88462 words | Brotherhood divergence covers whole series | Al died in the transmutation. In which Ed becomes Central's local vigilante, thereby becoming Maes's problem. Roy finds something poetic in this.

-No Crueler Punishment by Gomboc123 | 2504 words | Post-promised day humour | Instead of taking away Roy's vision, Truth decides to take something much more precious from Roy, and defaces him in the worst way possible.

-The Bond we Share by DiaHonkers | 23750 words | What if Brotherhood where Ed and Al share a body incomplete | The Fullmetal Alchemist was a weird person. He joined the military at only 12 years old. But the weirder thing about him was that he changed personalities in the blink of an eye. One moment he could be screaming his head off at you and the other he would be profusely apologizing. He would constantly talk to himself, and his commanding officer didn't bat an eye. But what they didn't know that it wasn't just one person. It was two.

-Another Journey by Isil'zha BLZ | 254486 words | Whole series rewrite. | The Elric brothers embark on another journey, but this time it's different than the ones they've been through before. A reimagining of the FMA story that combines elements from both anime to create what is (hopefully) the best of both worlds.

-A boy named Ed by BelloftheSea | 302732 words | Post-canon but Ed is young again without memories of his old life. Incomplete | Ed knew he was different. It wasn't just that he was smarter than the other kids or even that he had automail. No, it had more to do with the way people would occasionally look at him, like they were expecting somebody else. It was the way his mechanic cried the day she met him. It was the way his dad would sometimes slip – and call him Fullmetal.

-Nothing Gold by Rydia Highwind | 23230 words | EdLing Post-canon, AU ending | Ling has gained immortality. Ed has not.

-Unto the Shores of Acheron by LAXgirl | 99904 words | Gen, post 03 AU | Everyone thought Edward was dead. But when someone tries to resurrect him, no one's prepared to deal with the soulless look alike that's created instead, or its hurt and anger when his original half unexpectedly returns from the other side of the Gate.

-Nequitia Est Manus by Azei | 103304 words | Divergence story incomplete | Madame Christmas meets a blonde brat with a fondness for drinking all her whiskey and giving her more headaches than Roy ever did. AU in which Ed fakes his death at the end of episode 26 and uses it as a means to stop Father's plans from the sidelines.

-Beast of a Burden by Shoulderpads | 66416 words | Diverges Pre-canon, BH incomplete | Alternate universe where Ed and Al don't get the chance to try and bring their mom back before they're taken to the labs as subjects for chimera experimentation.

-The Colours of the World by MaiKusakabe | 114228 words | Harry Potter crossover Post Promised day, incomplete | When Roy Mustang went to retrieve his eyesight from Truth, he wasn’t expecting to end up doing a job in exchange. It couldn’t even be an easy job, of course, because Edward’s assessment of Truth was a pretty accurate one.

-Confirmation Bias by Cryogenia | 3327 words | RoyEd vague timeline. | (No summary)

-Phylactery by Shade40 | 250666 words | Post-Promised day AU, incomplete | Six years after the Promised Day, Selim is Homunculus and child. As he studies alchemy, Selim realizes it is possible to resurrect his family. The Homunculi deserve the same second chance that he was given, but while they struggle to embrace their newfound humanity, an unknown player comes with a deal that divides them. Post-FMAB with bits from 2003 series.

-Inhuman Beings by wllw | 3173 words | Mid BH, Pride + Kimblee centric | At the edges of his vision, the shadows followed him.

-The Twelve Days of Disaster by MEOW-I'm-A-Dog | 47932 words | A series of oneshots about Christmas that go from crack to full cocaine. Written on a whim, not to be taken seriously unless you want to. Characters: Breda, Ed, Al, Havoc, Fuery, Hawkeye, Falman, Mustang, Hughes and the occasional Armstrong

-At Gate’s Edge by Winds of Water | 455478 words | RoyEd 03 AU where human transmutation went awry and Ed is a ghost. Incomplete | Love's never easy as it is, but it's twice as hard when you're separated by life and death.

-Grand Arcanum by The-Immortal-Moon | 343781 words | Series AU and roleswap blending 03 and BH. Incomplete | Brothers Edward and Alphonse tragically lose their bodies in a failed attempt at human transmutation. Now, they partner with their childhood friend, Winry, and scour Amestris in search of the Philosopher’s Stone.

-Abandon All Hope, Ye who enter here by Anonymous | 17171 words | Dark! Au from end of 03. Ed being held by Dante. NonCon. | Everything went wrong. Al is gone, Dante has the Stone, and Ed is a prisoner to the fanciful whims of his new captor.

-Love Can Melt the Ice by Winryofresembool | 63640 words | EdWin Modern!Au | Edward Elric, a hockey player from Amestris, participates in his first ever Olympics. The only thing he's planning to get from there is a gold medal. However, when he accidentally bumps into a childhood friend, a talented figure skater Winry Rockbell, he learns there are things bigger than hockey.

-Our Embalmed hearts, our desolate kingdoms by spooky_bee | 155853 words | Neon Genesis Evangelion fusion with FMAB RoyAi | "He leans back, palms connecting with the concrete, and looks up over their city, their desolate kingdom. In the rain, Central City might as well be the ruins of Xerxes, empty and grey, and he and she may as well be the last two people on earth."Or, Love in the Time of Giant Robots

-Talking With Ghosts by em-witchwood | 2801 words | EdRiza, Post FMA 03 | Out of all of them, she was probably the only one that didn’t regret all the things she had never said to him, because she’d said all that she wanted.

-We That Are Young by Stoplight Delight | 277131 words | Pre-canon | It's a well-known fact that innocents make poor soldiers. Fortunately, Riza Hawkeye's childhood was not entirely innocent. She had to grow up fast... though she wasn't the only one. The early years of the Colonel and his First Lieutenant.

-Tempest by Bookwrm389 | 16810 words | Gen, vaguely mid-series Parental RoyEd | Ed is adamant that he doesn't need a father. And it's only when he's about to lose the closest thing he has to one that he understands how very wrong he is.

-Flames of Consequence by EnviousMonster | 67018 words | Gen, Envy lives AU post BH. Incomplete | Where Envy survives and is given a second chance to become something more than they were made to be. Will contain depictions of violence, emotional and mental duress, etc.

-Stock Market Crash by VIKAN | 29301 words | Gen, vaguely canon timeline | Stranded in the middle of the Eastern Desert, Roy Mustang must try to get himself and a concussed Edward across it safely before he completely loses his mind.

-Mendacium by ChaoticClueless | 15558 words | My Hero Academia crossover with BH Ed. Incomplete | Edward didn't want to help Truth. He didn't want to go to a different world to defeat yet another Father. He didn't want to become a vigilante there.He also wanted his brother back. The choice was obvious, even if Truth is a massive asshole.

-Reverti Ad Praeteritum by Batsutousai | 288908 words | EdRoy Timetravel story, BH | Unwillingly forced to serve as a human trial for a crazy alchemist experimenting with time travel, Edward Elric finds himself standing across from Truth in the moment it takes his leg from him. Armed with the knowledge of what's to come and burdened with guilt for the choices he'd made as an adult, Ed sets out to fix every mistake he ever made and save every life they ever lost, no matter what it takes.

-Best Kept Secret by MoonStarDutchess | 523815 words | RoyAi BH canon-compliant incomplete | What if Roy and Riza were secretly married through the entire series? This story tells you that.

-Ash Like Snow by Laora | 6723 words | Harry Potter Crossover | His sanity is crumbling away, but then, so is the entire wizarding world.

-Penance by Laora | 125965 words | Harry Potter Crossover around Promised Day | The Gate was opening; the black arms stretched toward him and Pride. Ed knew he had no say in the matter. He would be pulled to this parallel dimension, alternate universe—whatever it was—and Amestris would be left to die. Truth merely grinned.

-Jiǔ by agentcalliope | 3131 words | Roy-centric piece, RoyAi | the nine steps Roy Mustang takes towards acceptance

-Homefront by hlwim | 50895 words | BH AU, some RoyAi | Miss Riza's arrival in Resembool has the potential to ruin everything.

-Infernia by mitsys | 3899 words | Royai, Pacific Rim AU | Some stories aren't told in headlines or newspapers, but in the touch of hands and minds. They linger together in the Drift, lines melting together into the seams, and they don't mourn the lost letters. They've been writing their story long enough to do it without words.

-Wooden by tobu_ishi | 1928 words | Gen, Post 03 anime, Ed in other world | He never realized how useful automail could be until he was an entire world away from it, or what a pain simple daily tasks could become.

-Mirrorworld by Tramontana Keeper | 305134 words | EdHei, Pre-CoS AU | Ed managed to prove that he was truly from a different world, and Alfons finds himself captive in Ed's dream of opening the Gate.

-Fragile Worlds by The Prettiest Frog in the Pond | 5635 words | Gen, 03 anime AU | He'd been stuck in this place for months now, but no matter what he says, nothing changes. He's Edward Elric. He's been Edward Elric all his life. So why won't they believe him?

-One Foot in by Firewind | 7008 words | Gen, 03 anime AU | Envy shows Ed why it's unwise to break a deal with homunculi.

-The Circle by Elfpen | 3007 words | Gen, promised day | Edward Elric teaches alchemy at Central University. A particularly horrible student leads them down a path of dark discussion, which somehow, leads Edward back full circle.

-Ignis Fatuus by Mikkeneko | 5787 words | Gen. | Edward attempts to break apart a chimera made from an animal and a child.

-Abstention by Asidian | 11117 words | Vague timeline | An assignment to snow country under Colonel Mustang is bad enough for the damper it puts on the Elrics' search for the Stone, but downed supply lines lead to cut rations, and Ed discovers that he can't take the deprivation as well as he'd like to pretend.

-Never break the chain by haganenobeato | 4199 words | RoyAi BH, vague timeline | The nights were not kind to Riza Hawkeye. Sleep felt elusive following the failed operative to capture a homunculus after Gluttony swallowed the Colonel whole with Edward alongside him. Before she could gather her bearings and make sense of what was happening, Mustang’s men were transferred at different cardinal points in Amestris with herself at the center as Bradley’s assistant.As for him… he had been changed.

-Men and Angels by Laora | 56333 words | Timetravel AU | Trisha can't understand; she's terrified, but she has to stay calm. Her boys are gone, replaced by her sons from the future...and something, she knows, is terribly wrong.

-The Really Ridiculously Good Looking Summer Festival by VerboseWordsmith | 45594 words | Modern!Band!AU RoyEd | Quasi-indie newcomers, Fullmetal Alchemist, just hit number one with their second single on the Amestris Hot 100 Rock chart and they've been added to the lineup of this summer's Transmuted Tour.

-To Love is to Sacrifice by Konfessor2U | 6372 words | Edvy, BH | Edward is held captive as a human sacrifice and Envy is set to watch over him.

-Not in His Job Description by alightintheshadows | 1331 words | Gen, BH Post-promised day, Parental Roy | General Mustang receives visitor much too early on a Sunday morning, but he doesn't mind in the slightest.

-Aftermath by Asidian | 32148 words | Elricest, vaguely post-series | Not even a year after Al receives his new body, Ed requests a mission that will take him far from his brother's side. When things go terribly wrong, they must pick up the pieces together.

-Ignis Aurum Probat by writing_addict | 34827 words | How to train your dragon AU, FMAB, incomplete | Edward Elric is born early into the dead of winter, on an island twelve days North of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing-To-Death. He comes into the world sickly and small--and endlessly defiant, burning with the kind of rage that can shake the foundations of the universe. The gods themselves hear that scream, that roar of fury and thunder promising to remake the world as they know it, and wonder. Fifteen years later, Ed brings down the Night Fury that's been plaguing his people for generations, stands over it with the perfect opportunity to make the kill...and spares it.

-Satellite by SpicyReyes | 103170 words | EdRoy, Timetravel, BH incomplete | A rogue alchemist, desperate to restore the alchemy of the famous Fullmetal Alchemist, pushes Truth into playing a new game - one that has Edward Elric waking up on the floor of his house where a transmuted abomination should have been, just in time to save his younger self and brother. He might have a chance to do everything again, now, though...He would never hold anything but bitterness for the title of 'dad,' but maybe an older brother could make things better.

-With Eyes Anew by Rider_of_Spades | 500 words | LustScar FMA 03 | "She’s not your second chance– she’s your first." On the implications of being in love with a Homunculus.

-Son of the Desert by ShanaStoryteller | 10445 words | Ishvalan!Ed AU, BH EdRoy | Every time Edward sees the circle on the back Mustang's hand, he wants to scream, wants to reach across the desk and shake him, wants to wrap his hands around the older man's throat and ask if it was worth it, if this desk and his rank is worth the screaming, crying, writhing, burning bodies of his people-

-Tears and Rain by BeautifulFiction_FMA | 196772 words | RoyEd FMA 03 vague timeline | When Ed stops an assassination attempt on Roy's life, he foils one of the opening moves in a massive military intrigue. Can he and Roy stay one step ahead of those who want them dead, or will they both lose the fight to survive?

-The Lost Language of Swans by Mirabella | 2258 words | Elricest, Wingfic Post-series | They smuggled Al out of Central and back to Rizembul, where they rented a small house with room for Ed's books and Al's wings.

-For the night has been unkind by CoolJellyBean25 | 159980 words | RoyEd PostBH AU, Incomplete | Even with the straitjacket off, Ed never feels like it's really gone.

-conflicted by the very air i breathe by writing_addict | 149707 words | some RoyAi, BH AU, incomplete | Edward Elric vanishes after what was supposed to be an ordinary mission. A year later, Roy Mustang gets a call that changes everything.

-World without Roy by Manalfedz | 41482 words | Gen, BH AU, incomplete | Wherein...Roy tries not to freak out in an alternate world where everything has gone horribly wrong.

-A sudden alchemy by LadyMerlin | 5388 words | RoyEd Modern!Au | The one in which Roy is a Knight in Shining Armour

-A Pyramid Scheme by PhantomRose96 | 1662 words | Gen, immediately Post!BH | “Why didn’t you run?” “Sorry?” “Why didn’t you run away, Fullmetal?”

-From Ashes by JordannaMorgan | 22864 words | Gen, canon-compliant set right after the human transmutation attempt. | Edward and Alphonse had a long journey to make before they ever left home.

-Babylon by BeautifulFiction_FMA | 261096 words | RoyEd, post FMA 03 AU | Two years after retrieving his brother's body from the Gate of Truth Edward Elric is still paying the price. Will his debt ever be repaid, or will it finally cost him everything?

-Havoc’s Foolproof Plan by 1stTimeCaller | 9187 words | vague timeline, some RoyAi shiptease. | Havoc's love life is constantly interrupted by his womanizing boss. So he decides to try it on with the one woman who is immune to Mustang's charm.

-The Ordeal of Being Known by budgeWrites | 20254 words | FMA 03 AU LustScar Lust and Scar both live, Incomplete | On conquering demons, remembering how to live, and coming home.

-Focus by Sevlow | 37665 words | Gen, vague timeline | Mustang, Edward, and all the other Alchemists of fair Amestris are starting to lose their grip on their own minds and bodies. The Amestrian military is in chaos as dozens of its higher-ranking officers start losing their minds to an unknown sickness.

#fma #fullmetal alchemist #fma 03 #fmab #fma 2003 #fma fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic recs #wow there's a lot here #you guys recced so many!#thanks so much!#there's all sort of ships here #I've made a point to mark them out

40 notes · View notes

boat-full-of-lotus-pods · 5 years

Text

MDZS Chapter 101. “A Hatred for Life” Part 4

Failed rescue

Jin Ling sat up instantly and called, “Uncle!”

Leveling him with a glare, Jing Cheng spat coldly, “Now you know to call me Uncle. What were you running for earlier?!”

Then, he threw his gaze half-heartedly towards Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi. Before their eyes could meet, however, Su She had already gotten to his feet by leaning on his sword, Nanping[1], and stabbed at Jiang Cheng. Before Jiang Cheng made a move, a series of loud dog barks exploded in the air as Fairy leaped into the temple like a flying fish and pounced straight for Su She. At the sound of the dog barks, all the hairs on Wei WuXian’s body immediately stood up. His soul ready to disperse out of fright, he shrank into Lan WangJi’s arms and called, “Lan Zhan!”

Lan WangJi had already secured his arms around him. “I’m here!”

Wei WuXian said, “Hold me!”

Lan WangJi replied, “I’m holding you!”

Wei WuXian continued, “Hold me tight!”

Lan WangJi replied again, “I’m holding you tight!”

Without having to turn around to look, just their voices alone was enough to make Jiang Cheng’s entire face twitch. Originally, he’d at least wanted to shoot a look at the two of them. Now, however, Jiang Cheng forbade his neck from turning with all his might. Just then, numerous monks and cultivators rushed out from the back of the temple to the front with swords in their hands. Smirking, Jiang Cheng sent out a blinding a ray of purple light with a flip of his right hand. The ray of purple danced within the temple, flinging out everyone it touched with explosive force. The oil paper umbrella still remained steady in his left hand. As the wave of bodies collapsed all over the floor, most still twitching from the effects of electrocution, Jiang Cheng at last closed his umbrella. Meanwhile, Su She was still hopelessly tangled by Fairy’s harassment, cursing nonstop. From the side, Jin Ling shouted, “Fairy! Be careful! Fairy, bite him! Bite his hand!”

Lan XiChen warned, “Sect Leader Jiang, beware of the guqin’s melody!”

Right as he finished speaking, two long notes of the guqin can be heard coming from the back of the temple. Since Jiang Cheng had already fallen prey to the dark melody once, he was exceptionally vigilant this time around. So the moment the music started, Jiang Cheng kicked at the ground and, with the tip of his boot, sent a cultivator’s fallen sword into the air. Tossing away the umbrella in his left hand, he grabbed the air-born sword and, pulling out Sandu with his right, struck the two swords together.

As the two blades scraped against one another, the resulting screams of metal scratching sharply against metal drowned out the tone from Jin GuangYao’s guqin.

It was a very effective method to counter the dark song! But it had one problem—the resulting noise was too terrible and unpleasant for the ear!

It sounded so terrible that people felt like their ears would bleed. It was exceptionally unbearable for Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi of the Gusu Lan Sect, both of whom couldn’t help but frown. Right now, however, Lan WangJi was too busy holding Wei WuXian to be able to cover his own ears, and so Wei WuXian covered Lan WanJi’s ears for him while shivering to the sound of dog barks.

With a hard expression and a sword in each hand, Jiang Cheng continued to create those awful but effective noises against the demonic melody as he advanced towards the back of the temple. Before he reached it, Jin GuangYao walked out of the back himself, speaking as he covered his ears, “Sect Leader Jiang, I must say I am greatly humbled by the devastation you’re accomplishing with this tactic.”

Zidian shot straight at him. Jin GuangYao dodged to the side and asked, “Sect Leader Jiang! How did you end up here?”

Jiang Cheng didn’t bother to answer. Jin GuangYao’s spiritual energy wasn’t as strong as his own. Unable to confront him head-on, Jin GuangYao could only continue to nimbly dodge. While his subordinates surrounded Jiang Cheng, Jin GuangYao continued to speak with a composed and unassuming air. “Did Jin Ling run off by himself again? And chasing after him led you here? Fairy must have even led the way for you. Ahh… I gave him the spiritual dog as a gift, and look what I get in return?”

Tight in Lan WangJi’s arms, Wei WuXian no longer felt as terrified by the dog’s barks, which cleared his mind enough to think. Noticing how Jin GuangYao was like in combat, with his eyes dancing, mouth smiling and talking incessantly, Wei WuXian was reminded of a certain someone. He said in a quiet voice, “He and Xue Yang really are cast from the same mold.”

Lan WangJi remained silent. Hearing no response from him, Wei WuXian looked up and realized that he was still covering Lan WangJi’s ears. Lan WangJi must have not heard him at all. Just as Wei WuXian lowered his hands, Jin GuangYao suddenly switched the topic with a smile. “Sect Leader Jiang, what’s wrong? You’ve been avoiding looking at that side of the room for a while now, is there something there?”

Jiang Cheng spat, “Aren’t you at least the Chief Cultivator? Stop with your bullshit and focus on the fight!”

Jin GuangYao continued, “Still avoiding? There’s not much over there, just your shi-xiong[2]. Did you really end up here from chasing after Jin Ling?”

Jiang Cheng fired back, “Or what?! Who else would I come for?!”

Lan XiChen warned, “Don’t answer him!”

Jin GuangYao was a master at word play. The moment Jiang Cheng started responding to him, he would no doubt be distracted by Jin GuangYao and be riled up to become more and more emotional. Jin GuangYao said, “Fine, Mister Wei, did you see? Your shi-di[3] is not here for you. In fact, he doesn’t even want to look at you.”

Wei WuXian smiled and said, “What a weird thing to say. Jiang Cheng’s attitude towards me isn’t new. Do I need you here to remind me?”

Hearing this, the corner of Jiang Cheng’s mouth twitched slightly. Veins protruded on the back of the hand that held Zidian. Jin GuangYao turned back to him and commented with a resigned sigh, “Sect Leader Jiang, you see? It’s not easy being your shi-xiong.”

Noticing that Jin GuangYao kept on steering the conversation to be about him, Wei WuXian became alarmed. Jiang Cheng sniped back, “Sect Leader Jin, being your sworn brother is even harder!”

Jin GuangYao continued, seemingly without a care whether Jiang Cheng was actually listening, and said, “Sect Leader Jiang, I heard that you made a big scene at the Lotus Pier last night, seemingly without reason. I hear that you were running all over the place with the Yiling Patriarch’s sword, and asking everyone to unsheath it.”

Immediately, Jiang Cheng’s expression darkened beyond terrifying.

At the same time, Wei WuXian suddenly sat up within Lan WangJi’s arms. His heart gave a hard jolt as a voice in his head said, ‘My sword? Suibian? Didn’t I throw it at Wen Ning for safekeeping? No, wait, I really didn’t see it with him yesterday or today…… How did it end up in Jiang Cheng’s hands?! Why is Jiang Cheng asking other people to unsheath it? Has he tried unsheathing it himself?’

Feeling high-strung, it was only after Lan WangJi gently caressed his back twice that Wei WuXian felt himself calm down a little. Jiang Cheng, meanwhile, had fallen into a gloomy silence. Jin GuangYao’s eyes were ablaze when he said, “I also heard that no one can unsheath that sword, yet you’ve somehow managed to do it. Now that’s just weird. The sword had already sealed itself thirteen years ago when I first took it into my collection. Aside from the Yiling Patriarch himself, it should be impossible for anyone to unsheath……”

Jiang Cheng launched both Zidian and Sandu in a single, combined attack as he raged, “Shut your damn mouth!”

Smiling, Jin GuangYao continued talking without a care, “Which made me remember that back in the days, Young Master Wei had truly been arrogant. He would never bring his sword anywhere with him, and each time he would find a different excuse for it. I’ve always found it very strange. Don’t you?”

Jiang Cheng roared, “What exactly are you trying to say?!”

Jin GuangYao raised his voice. “Sect Leader Jiang, you truly are exceptional. The youngest sect leader alive, single-handedly rebuilding the Yunmeng Jiang Sect from scratch. I truly admire you. But from my memories, weren’t you always second place next to Mister Wei WuXian in terms of everything? Would you kindly enlighten me on how you’ve managed to reverse your positions after the Sunshot Campaign? Did you take some miracle elixir for your golden core[4]?!”

Jin GuangYao punctuated the words “golden core” harsh and clear. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng’s facial features were ready to scramble themselves over. A dangerous flare of white light sizzled from Zidian. With his mind entrenched in utter chaos, an opening appeared in his movements.

The opening was exactly what Jin GuangYao had been waiting for. He flung out the qin string that he’d been hiding for a while now. Immediately, Jiang Cheng’s full attention snapped back to block them. As Zidian and the qin string entangled, Jin GuangYao felt the shock of the weapon numbing his palm and dropped the string immediately. And then, with a light chuckle, he flung out another qin string with his other hand and aimed straight for Wei WuXian!

Jiang Cheng’s pupil contracted to a fine point as he immediately redirected Zidian to block the other string. Yet, Jin Ling screamed, “Uncle, watch out!”

In the span of a second, Jin GuangYao had already taken out the sword wrapped by his waist and stabbed right at Jiang Cheng’s heart!

Ashen-faced, Jiang Cheng clutched at his chest. Blood oozed out between his fingers, dyeing the robes over his chest into a shade of purple so dark that it was almost black. After blocking the string, Zidian had reverted back into a ring on his finger. Spiritual weapons always returned to their least energy draining state when their owner was losing too much blood or gravely injured. Taking this opportunity, Jin GuangYao walked up to Jiang Cheng and sealed his cultivation with two strokes. Retrieving a handkerchief from within his sleeve, Jin GuangYao wiped his soft sword clean before wrapping it back around his waist.

Jin Ling was already by Jiang Cheng’s side, supporting him. Lan XiChen sighed, “Don’t move around too much. Help him sit down slowly.”

Footnotes:

[1]: Nanping: 难平, Su She’s sword, literally means “hard to find peace” in the sense of “having difficulty in achieving satisfaction over something”, “finding things to be not enough”.

[2]: shi-xiong: 师兄, “older brother who studied under the same master/teacher/sect”.

[3]: shi-di: 师弟, “younger brother who studied under the same master/teacher/sect”.

[4]: Miracle elixir for your golden core: 金丹妙药, broadly means “miracle elixir” or “wonder drug”, already contains the words 金丹 “golden core” as part of its name. So in the original, Jin GuangYao wasn’t putting as much stress on the words “golden core” as it sounds in the translation, but was only dropping/hinting at them indirectly.

#魔道祖师 #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #novel translation #my translation

510 notes · View notes

mbtizone · 7 years

Text

Aubrey Posen (Pitch Perfect): ESTJ

Dominant Extroverted Thinking [Te]: Aubrey enjoys being in charge and has no problem giving orders and commands to the rest of the group. She dislikes when her authority is questioned and wants to remain in control of the Barden Bellas. Instead of enjoying herself and trying to create a fun environment, she treats the Bellas like soldiers and prepares them for “war.” It’s Aubrey’s responsibility to prepare the Bellas, which she does in a bossy, domineering manner. She imposes strict rehearsal schedules on the group (two hours a day, every day), and she expects that they make additional time individually for cardio exercise. Aubrey creates and firmly enforces rules, and is intolerant of those who beak them. She pushes the girls hard and doesn’t settle for less than their absolute best.

Auxiliary Introverted Sensing [Si]: Tradition is extremely important to Aubrey. She takes her duties as a Bella extremely seriously and looks down on those who don’t. She’s convinced that the key to winning is sticking to the same songs they’ve always one, none of which are from the 21st century. This clearly isn’t working for them, because they continue to lose, but Aubrey refuses to try anything new. She is completely committed to the Bellas and her role within the group. Aubrey takes the oath very seriously and does not go easy on those who fail to treat it with the same level of respect. She’s a stickler for rules and believes that things need to be done in a certain way. It’s hard for her to accept change, leading her to clash with Beca, who is innovative and unique in her approach. Aubrey is a perfectionist and everything needs to be just so. She has an incredibly detailed plan, which she writes out on a white board, showing the group how they will become champions. Aubrey’s upbringing has a significant impact on her, and she blames her father and the way he raised her for why she is the way she is.

Tertiary Extroverted Intuition [Ne]: Although Aubrey is resistant to change and prefers doing things the same way they’ve always been done, she is able to use her intuition in other aspects of her life. She was immediately able to sense the chemistry between Beca and Jesse. Although she shoots down all of Beca’s thoughts and proposals, she is eventually able to see the value in her way of doing things. Once she and the rest of the group put Beca’s suggestions into practice, she realizes that her ideas will benefit them in their performances and becomes more open to stepping outside of her comfort zone.

Inferior Introverted Feeling [Fi]: Aubrey has little patience for people who violate her values. She kicks out Bellas who sleep with Trebles because the Trebles don’t respect them, so having sex with one gives them their “power.” She ruthlessly cuts any girl who becomes sexually involved with a Treble, forcing her own values on others. She is judgmental of people who do things she disagrees with and won’t hesitate to humiliate them for their actions. Aubrey doesn’t have much consideration for the group’s feelings and doesn’t care if they’re unhappy. She just wants them to win.

Enneagram: 1w2 3w2 6w5 So/Sp

Quotes:

Aubrey: I will stop at nothing to take those ding-a-lings down.

Aubrey: Just keep flyering. We have a tradition to uphold.

Aubrey: My fellow a-ca-people. We will not let egotistical, big-headed, garbage dirtballs, whoever you may be, get in our way. I promise you, we will return to the ICCAs and finish what we started last year.

Aubrey: Okay. Sopranos in the front and altos in the back. As you can see, Kori is not here. Last night she was Treble-boned. She has been dis-invited from the Bellas. Beca: That oath was serious? Aubrey: Dixie Chicks serious. You can fool around with whoever you want to, just not a treble.

Aubrey: Stacie, the Trebles don’t respect us and if we let them penetrate us, we are giving them our power. Fat Amy: Not a good enough reason to use the word “penetrate.” Aubrey: So, does anyone here have anything to confess? Mary Elise: It was an accident. I… Aubrey: Turn in your scarf and go. Beca: Was that necessary? Aubrey: This is war, Beca, and it is my job to make sure that my soldiers are prepped at go time with three kick-ass songs sung and choreographed to perfection. And there are only four months until regionals. So if you have a problem with the way I run the Bellas, then you should just…

Aubrey: The sopranos. Jessica, Mary Elise, Lilly. The mezzos. Cynthia Rose, Stacie, Kori. And our altos. Fat Amy, Denise, Ashley and Beca. We shall begin by drinking the blood of the sisters that came before you.

Aubrey: We will practice every day for at least two hours, seven days a week. And I trust you will add your own cardio.

Aubrey: Okay, moving on. This is a list of all the songs that we have ever performed. And you will notice that we only do songs made famous by women. Beca: There’s nothing from this century on here. Aubrey: Because we don’t stray from tradition. Now this is how we will become champions.

Aubrey: Beca, a word? Beca: What’s up? Aubrey: You know you’ll have to take those ear monstrosities out for the Fall Mixer. Beca: You really don’t like me, do you? Aubrey: I don’t like your attitude. Beca: You don’t even know me. Aubrey: I know you have a toner for Jesse. Beca: A what? Aubrey: A toner. A musical boner. I saw it at Hood Night. It’s distracting. Beca: Yeah, that’s not a thing and you’re not the boss of me. So… Aubrey: You took an oath. Beca: That oath cost you two girls already today. I’m pretty sure you need me more than I need you. Aubrey: I can see your toner through those jeans.

Aubrey: Well, I hope you all remember the way you feel right now, so you will never wanna feel this way again. Chloe, your voice didn’t sound Aguilerian at all. Chloe, for serious, what is wrong with you?

Aubrey: Before everybody goes to bed tonight, I need you to make a list of everything you did wrong. Fat Amy: I’m gonna melt that cabbage patch kid. Beca: Hey guys, what we just did was great, right? Aubrey: Calm your pits Beca, we still lost. Beca: Yeah but it was spontaneous. It was awesome. We were actually listening to- Aubrey: Okay everybody, hands in. “Ahh” on my count. On three of after three?

Aubrey: Well Beca doesn’t want a solo, so… Beca: I would be happy to do it if I got to pick a new song and do an arrangement. Aubrey: Well that’s not how we run things here. Chloe: Aubrey, maybe Beca has a point. Maybe we could try something new. Aubrey: A-ca-scuse me? You can sing Turn the Beat Around and that’s the last I wanna hear of this. Beca:That song is tired. We’re not gonna win with it. If we pull samples from different genres and layer them together, we could make some… Aubrey: Okay let me explain something to you because you still don’t seem to get it. Our goal is to get back to the finals and these songs will get us there. So, excuse me if I don’t take advice from some alt-girl with her mad-lib beats because she’s never been in a competition. Have I made myself clear?

Aubrey: Beca, I’m glad you’re here. I’m calling an emergency Bella meeting. First up… Our score sheet revealed that the Sockappellas almost beat us. And Fat Amy, you need to do it exactly how we rehearsed it, okay? No surprises. Beca: We should be taking risks. It’s not enough to be good, we need to put ourselves out there, be different. Cynthia Rose: Beca’s right. The Trebles never sing the same song twice. Beca: The audience love the Trebles, they tolerate us. We could change the face of a cappella if we… Oh my god, that sounded so queerballs. What’s happening to me? Um… let me show you this arrangement I’ve been working on. Chloe: I didn’t know you were into this stuff. Beca: Yeah. Aubrey: Okay, I have the pitch pipe, and I say that we focus on the set list as planned. From now on, there will be no more wasting time with work or school or boyfriends or partners. Sorry, Cynthia Rose. Chloe: But Aubrey, this stuff is pretty cool. I mean… Aubrey: Okay rehearsal tomorrow. 8 A.M. sharp.

Aubrey: What the hell Beca? Were you trying to screw us up? Beca: Are you serious? Aubrey: Newsflash. This isn’t the Beca Show. Beca: Okay, I’m sorry that I messed you up, but in case you hadn’t noticed, everybody pretty much dozed off during our set. Aubrey: It’s not your job to decide what we do and when we do it. Why don’t you ask the rest of the group how they felt about your little improvisation? Beca: Amy? Fat Amy: It was cool. But it did take us a little bit by surprise. Aubrey: Yeah, a lot like surprise. Fat Amy: Mmmm a little. Aubrey: I told you she wasn’t a Bella. Chloe: Aubrey, don’t. Beca: No, that’s okay. You don’t have to pretend you’re allowed to have a say in the group, right? Aubrey: Your attitude sucks. You’re a grade-A pain in my ass, and I know you’re hooking up with Jesse.

Chloe: I texted Beca. Aubrey: You did what? Chloe: She makes us better. Aubrey: That’s not an opinion for you to have, Chloe. Chloe: Why? Because it’s not yours? You’re not always right you know. Aubrey: We will win without her.

Aubrey: Okay, stop! What is happening to us? Chloe, you sound like you smoke three packs a day. Stacie, you are so behind on choreography. And Jessica and Ashley, it’s like you haven’t been here all year long.

Cynthia Rose: We need Beca. Chloe: Maybe if Aubrey loosened the reins a little bit. Aubrey: Okay, shut it Chloe! Oh, I’m sorry. That was rude. Chloe, could you please get your head out of your ass? It’s not a hat.

Aubrey: Oh, so this is my fault? Chloe: That’s not what I’m saying. Aubrey: No, no, no, that’s what you’re all thinking, isn’t it? That I’m the jerk. I am the girl obsessed with winning. Chloe: Aubrey, you’re too controlling and it’s gonna ruin all of us. Aubrey: You know what, I can lose control if I want to. I can let go. This time I’m not gonna choke it down.

Aubrey: Beca, I know that I’ve been hard on you, okay? I know that I’ve been hard on everyone here. But I am my father’s daughter. And he always said, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, pack your bags.

Aubrey Posen (Pitch Perfect): ESTJ was originally published on MBTI Zone

#1w2 3w2 6w5 #Aubrey Posen #Pitch Perfect #So/Sp #ESTJ #mbti #mbti types #mbti personality types #fictionalcharactermbti #fictionmbti #movie mbti #enneagram 1 #Type 1 #enneagram #enneatypes #enneagram type

4 notes · View notes

jannahill · 5 years

Text

Hold out your eyes for a Halloween treat.

Hold out your eyes and I’ll give you a little insight plus the beginning and the ending of Smoke Free.

Smoke Free is a weird little story conceived in the smoke of a brush pile. The photos below show the cover; the first photograph and the finished cover.

Smoke Free is probably the only book cover we have not changed at least a dozen times. The truth is I have never wanted to change it. I love this cover and the image of that little pumpkin smoking a cigar never fails to amuse me. (I have the husband to thank for that.)

I had never heard of Irwin Smutter before that day and he (like the cigar smoking pumpkin) still amuses me with his absolute weirdness; him and the bizarre world he resides in.

Okay, here you go.

In the beginning…

Irwin marched down the stark white hallway with the impudence of a man on a mission. At the end of corridor, a glass door awaited with the words FREE YOUR SELF painted in large gold letters. He raised a curled fist to knock but decided against it. Easing the door open he called out, “Yoo-hoo. Is anyone home?” when no one responded he grudgingly entered the room and scanned its contents.

The room appeared empty other than an oversized sofa. Irwin reposed himself against the frigid vinyl, crossed his feet and sighed. A lively timbered scene covered the wall opposite the door, designed in such a way it almost looked like a window. Beyond the dull sheen of the pretend window was a forest where rays of sunshine cut through a smoky haze. The remaining walls were un-textured, pale and bare. The room smelled of sandalwood and acetone, a bizarre sweetness that sickened and comforted him at the same time. Irwin shifted nervously on the stiff upholstery in search of a warm spot. There was none.

The faux leather, the lifeless walls, the fake window – it was all too unsettling. Nothing is real, he thought, stretching his arms until his hands met above his head. Fads! The world has been reduced to kooks, phonies, and fads. Reassured by his own summation, Irwin interlaced his fingers and stretched further. When the joints in his entwined hands refused to pop, he rested them at the base of his neck.

His wife, Evie was a non-smoker and she did not mind, she had never complained, but again, Evie never complained about anything. Evie was a saint.

So what am I doing here? Peer pressure. That was the only logical explanation. All of his friends had stopped smoking months ago. There is nothing more annoying than an ex-smoker. Irwin’s mind zigzagged trying to connect the dots, the trail of crumbs that had lead him here to this place where he was expected to free himself.

Evenings at the local tavern were not the same, instead of cheers and jokes the gang sat around bellyaching about a handful of smokers in the far corner. It wasn’t fun anymore. Irwin thought as he strained to recall the last time he had hung out with any of them, the last time he had stopped by the saloon on the way home. He could not remember. A few of his buddies had dropped by the house for a beer once or twice a week but then…

It occurred to Irwin he had been isolated for some time; cut off from society. Who needs them? Not me, I don’t have time for chewing the fat. He dug his heels into the armrest, tensed his abdominal muscles and forced a few halfhearted sit-ups. I’m healthy, a hell of a lot healthier than those slobs. Heck, Frank can’t see his ding-a-ling without a mirror. Irwin laughed aloud at the image of his friend groping for his penis. Poor bastard, he groaned, starring up at the flat alabaster ceiling, Frank’s a good guy. The kindest, most nonjudgmental man I have ever met… hey! Irwin bolted upright, Frank is my best friend.

When the sparkle abated from the realization, Irwin flopped back into a prone position and began a set of leg-lifts. Good ole Frank. Poor bastard. Dean and Will, now there is a couple of bonafide jerks! Irwin scoffed to himself, holding his un-embellished feet at heart level, Health fanatics! You can smell Dean a mile away— wreaking of curry and cumin. And Will, with his dead man farts –methane poison. Both of them—with their stained yellow skin.

“Dang! What are you two eating?” Frank had asked. When neither answered he pressed on, “It smells like you’re on the verge of shittin’ a dead man. What are you little tree huggers eatin’? Are y’all eatin’ people?” Irwin recalled Frank’s hearty laugh at his joke and smiled, until he remembered the response. Dean– shivering but never looking up. Will with that cocky glare, wriggling his thin eyebrows and slamming his glass down on the table for effect, grinning through pink jagged teeth. “No one under the age of eighteen.”

“Screw it.” Irwin said aloud as he swung himself into a sitting position. He grabbed the package of Camels from his shirt pocket. Despite the shaking, he managed to free a cigarette without breaking it. He tapped the filter against his palm a few times and gently set it between his lips. His right hand habitually swept the pocket of his 501 jeans to retrieve the Zippo. Irwin studied the chrome lighter, rubbing his thumb across the engraving. “I loved your heart too Evie.” He whispered. Within the sound of two clicks, a beautiful orange flame emerged. Irwin closed his eyes and pulled the smoke deep into his lungs. The hissing crackle of dried tobacco had always eased his trembling. The feel of his Zippo, a gift from Evie, had always soothed his mind. I LOVE YOUR HEART was barely visible after years of stroking. He exhaled and imagined the writings of e.e. cummings. i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart). He fantasized about Evie, her soft white breasts against his back as she convinced him to be more accepting of lowercase letters and lower class people. Perfect breasts that now–

Just before The End…

Irwin and Evie spent their days and nights exploring endless trails. Time meant nothing to them now. Irwin was not sure how long he had been in this place, but it had been long enough to learn a few things. One: the sun never goes down. Two: there is no need for sleep and three: sometimes the boils come on slowly. He consoles himself with knowing Evie never minded his smoking.

Happy Halloween!

Available wherever e-books are sold.

Smoke Free narrated by Troy McElfresh

Happy Halloweenie Ghouls and Boils ( #TBT ) Hold out your eyes for a Halloween treat. Hold out your eyes and I'll give you a little insight plus the beginning and the ending of Smoke Free.

#Art #book covers #books #fiction #fun #Halloween #horror #Irwin Smutter #Janna Hill #making book covers #Smoke Free #surreal #weird #work

0 notes

jannahill · 7 years

Text

Hold out your eyes for a Halloween treat.

Smoke Free is a weird little story conceived in the smoke of a brush pile. The photos below show the cover from start to finish. Hold out your eyes and I’ll give you a little insight plus the beginning and the ending of Smoke Free.

https://jannahill.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/maniacal-witches-laugh-soundbible-com-2621275691.mp3

I had never heard of Irwin Smutter before that day and he (like the cigar smoking pumpkin) still amuses me with his absolute weirdness; him and the bizarre world he resides in.

Shall I cue the witch’s laugh again?

No!

Okay, here you go.

In the beginning…

Smoking cessation. Yeah, right. It was not Irwin’s idea. Irwin enjoyed smoking. The pungent smell of a fresh-lit cigarette made bitter coffee sweet. Smoking was one of the few things he looked forward to each day. A good smoke, a little booze, a lot of caffeine and Evie. His wife was a non-smoker and she did not mind, she had never complained, but again, Evie never complained about anything. Evie was a saint. So what am I doing here? Peer pressure. That was the only logical explanation. All of his friends had stopped smoking months ago. There is nothing more annoying than an ex-smoker. Irwin’s mind zigzagged trying to connect the dots, the trail of crumbs that had lead him here to this place where he was expected to free himself.

It occurred to Irwin he had been isolated for some time; cut off from society. Who needs them? Not me, I don’t have time for chewing the fat. He dug his heels into the armrest, tensed his abdominal muscles and forced a few halfhearted sit-ups. I’m healthy, a hell of a lot healthier than those slobs. Heck, Frank can’t see his ding-a-ling without a mirror. Irwin laughed aloud at the image of his friend groping for his penis. Poor bastard. He groaned, starring up at the flat alabaster ceiling, Frank’s a good guy. The kindest, most nonjudgmental man I have ever met… hey! Irwin bolted upright, Frank is my best friend.

Irwin snickered at the memory of Frank again, the last memory of the saloon he could clearly recall. Dean and Will who were frequently referred to as Mutt and Jeff, and the sight of their jaundiced eyes–unwavering. Long, lanky Dean slumped over his mug of warm Bud, squatty Will knocking back shots of cheap Vodka and the rank cloud of gas that always followed them. “Dang! What are you two eating?” Frank had asked. When neither answered he pressed on, “It smells like you’re on the verge of shittin’ a dead man. What are you little tree huggers eatin’? Are y’all eatin’ people?” Irwin recalled Frank’s hearty laugh at his own joke and smiled, until he remembered the response. Dean– shivering but never looking up. Will with that cocky glare, wriggling his thin eyebrows and slamming his glass down on the table for effect, grinning through pink jagged teeth. “No one under the age of eighteen.”

Just before The End…

Irwin and Evie spent their days and nights exploring endless trails. Time meant nothing to them now. Irwin was not sure how long he had been in this place, but it had been long enough to learn a few things. One, the sun never goes down. Two, there is no need for sleep and three; sometimes the boils come on slowly. He consoles himself with knowing Evie never minded his smoking.

Happy Halloween!

Available wherever e-books are sold.

Smoke Free narrated by Troy McElfresh

Happy Halloweenie Ghouls and Boils (From Start to Finish – Tuesday’s Tell All) Hold out your eyes for a Halloween treat. Smoke Free is a weird little story conceived in the smoke of a brush pile.

#Art #book covers #books #fiction #fun #horror #Irwin Smutter #Janna Hill #making book covers #Smoke Free #surreal #weird #work

0 notes