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fandomweekly2021-07-21 08:56 pm
curiosity) wrote in fandomweekly2021-07-21 08:56 pm
Entry tags:
[#032] The History of Rain (MDZS)
Theme Prompt: #14 - Storms
Title: The History of Rain.
Fandom: MDZS
Rating/Warnings: G
Bonus: No.
Word Count: 596
Summary: Jiang Cheng watches a storm roll in.
There was something about watching the first storm roll over the rivers and lakes of Lotus Pier that sent Jiang Cheng’s blood sizzling. Even before he’d inherited Zidian the onset of storm season left him feeling energized, almost jittery in his own skin with anticipation and a sense of almost vicious elation.
The only time he’d asked his mother about it, Madam Yu had put a hand to his cheek and said he was her son, of course he felt lightning in his blood and bones. It had been a rare tender moment. Neither of them had spoken of it ever again.
His brother and sister had never really understood what compelled him to watch the storms, to linger on the piers long enough to get wet but not soaked. Wei Wuxian had teased him. Jiang Yanli had chided gently and shaken her head when he tried to explain the attraction.
Now, as he stands on his private pier, watching a wave of rain sweep towards his home, he can’t help but smile just a tiny bit. The impending absolute monsoon rain isn’t enough to wash away his failures or the blood from his hands. The thunder and lightning won’t chase away the ghosts that haunt him or muffle their screams.
But. For a brief moment, as the first stinging drops hit his upturned face and the smell of ozone fills his lungs, he can hear his brother challenging him to a race back to their room and whoever is the most wet has to steal sweet buns from the kitchens. He can hear his sister calling them to safety. For just a few seconds he is almost happy.
“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling called, confused and annoyed, from the closest pavilion. “Jiujiu, come in! You’re going to get soaked and then sick! You’re too old to fight off a fever! Come make me some soup!”
Jiang Cheng took one more breath and released it. He turned. “Who are you calling old, brat?” He shouted back, stomping towards the pavilion. “Is this how you treat your elders? Is this how you disrespect your uncle? Insults and demands? What kind of Sect Leader are you? Don’t think I won’t break your legs!”
He came to a stop, dripping with rain, before his nephew. Jin Ling was actually taller than Jiang Cheng now. He cut a fine figure in his Jin robes, resplendent in gold, despite his obvious unfinished youth. It made Jiang Cheng feel impossibly fond and just a little nostalgic for the snot-nosed screaming toddler that used to wreak havoc on Lotus Pier for six months at a time.
Jin Ling scowled. “Jiujiu, you’re soaking wet!” He pulled out a talisman, charged it, and stuck it to Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.
Instantly, the water began to wring itself out of the cloth and plummet to the floor. Jiang Cheng felt warmth seep into his flesh from the qi-infused cloth. He was touched by his nephew’s care and scowled harder to hide it.
Jin Ling just smiled at him and headed toward the kitchens. “Come on, Jiujiu! You make soup and I’ll make dumplings. Don’t you want to hear about the latest night hunt? Jingyi was almost eaten by a tree. He was quiet for a whole five minutes. It’s a record.”
Jiang Cheng was glad his nephew’s back was turned, he couldn’t stop a smile at that. Grumbling for performance’s sake, he followed after Jin Ling, letting the storm that always raged inside become a soothing background noise, just like the one that raged over Lotus Pier.
Title: The History of Rain.
Fandom: MDZS
Rating/Warnings: G
Bonus: No.
Word Count: 596
Summary: Jiang Cheng watches a storm roll in.
There was something about watching the first storm roll over the rivers and lakes of Lotus Pier that sent Jiang Cheng’s blood sizzling. Even before he’d inherited Zidian the onset of storm season left him feeling energized, almost jittery in his own skin with anticipation and a sense of almost vicious elation.
The only time he’d asked his mother about it, Madam Yu had put a hand to his cheek and said he was her son, of course he felt lightning in his blood and bones. It had been a rare tender moment. Neither of them had spoken of it ever again.
His brother and sister had never really understood what compelled him to watch the storms, to linger on the piers long enough to get wet but not soaked. Wei Wuxian had teased him. Jiang Yanli had chided gently and shaken her head when he tried to explain the attraction.
Now, as he stands on his private pier, watching a wave of rain sweep towards his home, he can’t help but smile just a tiny bit. The impending absolute monsoon rain isn’t enough to wash away his failures or the blood from his hands. The thunder and lightning won’t chase away the ghosts that haunt him or muffle their screams.
But. For a brief moment, as the first stinging drops hit his upturned face and the smell of ozone fills his lungs, he can hear his brother challenging him to a race back to their room and whoever is the most wet has to steal sweet buns from the kitchens. He can hear his sister calling them to safety. For just a few seconds he is almost happy.
“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling called, confused and annoyed, from the closest pavilion. “Jiujiu, come in! You’re going to get soaked and then sick! You’re too old to fight off a fever! Come make me some soup!”
Jiang Cheng took one more breath and released it. He turned. “Who are you calling old, brat?” He shouted back, stomping towards the pavilion. “Is this how you treat your elders? Is this how you disrespect your uncle? Insults and demands? What kind of Sect Leader are you? Don’t think I won’t break your legs!”
He came to a stop, dripping with rain, before his nephew. Jin Ling was actually taller than Jiang Cheng now. He cut a fine figure in his Jin robes, resplendent in gold, despite his obvious unfinished youth. It made Jiang Cheng feel impossibly fond and just a little nostalgic for the snot-nosed screaming toddler that used to wreak havoc on Lotus Pier for six months at a time.
Jin Ling scowled. “Jiujiu, you’re soaking wet!” He pulled out a talisman, charged it, and stuck it to Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.
Instantly, the water began to wring itself out of the cloth and plummet to the floor. Jiang Cheng felt warmth seep into his flesh from the qi-infused cloth. He was touched by his nephew’s care and scowled harder to hide it.
Jin Ling just smiled at him and headed toward the kitchens. “Come on, Jiujiu! You make soup and I’ll make dumplings. Don’t you want to hear about the latest night hunt? Jingyi was almost eaten by a tree. He was quiet for a whole five minutes. It’s a record.”
Jiang Cheng was glad his nephew’s back was turned, he couldn’t stop a smile at that. Grumbling for performance’s sake, he followed after Jin Ling, letting the storm that always raged inside become a soothing background noise, just like the one that raged over Lotus Pier.