Work Text:
Hello, people!
I don't own The Untamed/MDZS.
I have no beta.
ENJOY!
CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR. HELLY-WATERMELONSMELLINFELLON.
~.O.~
It started most unexpectedly, yet it took him by storm at the same time.
He'd just been sneered at by Nie Sect disciples. Received the usual insults that he had long become accustomed to.
One thing that never failed to amaze him was how men were always reduced to what reputation their fathers had, and how women were always reduced to whatever reputation their mothers had. And yet for him… the bastard son of a famous Sect Leader, he was still nothing but the 'son of a whore'.
Despite said Sect Leader being unfaithful to his lady wife, no doubt multiple times considering his reputation, he was not the one blamed for Meng Yao's existence.
What a strange world he lived in. His poor mother was just trying to survive but she was the one shamed despite his father being the one to seek out her supposedly shameful self.
He had many strong feelings on the matter, which he kept stoppered deep inside so that no one could know. It was not the time or place to reveal his true face after all.
And as he rounded the corner, he saw Wei Wuxian, the Head Disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, coming toward him, a container of liquor in hand. His tall form was clad in his somewhat unusual, black and red ensemble. He looked lean and mysterious.
They hadn't really spoken, but Meng Yao had kept his eye on the other because how could he not? He always paid attention to everyone and everything. Information was a tool to gain power, and his preferred methods centered more around information than battle. Brain rather than brawn. His cultivation training started too late so he wasn't even at a decent level yet.
"Wei-gongzi," he said with a fake but not too forced smile, "Why are you here?" Wandering around at night instead of being with his brother and friends at the feast?
"Well I got my hands on some good liquor, went for a walk, and then forgot how to get back. A lot of things look the same around here," the young man said with a good-natured smile. "Especially at night."
He then frowned and looked around them as if trying to find something. "Why aren't you at the feast?"
Meng Yao's smile didn't lessen a bit as he said, "I have to keep an eye on Xue Yang." He came across as diligent and dedicated to his duties. It was a useful reputation to have in his position.
Wei Wuxian frowned a bit, looking… put out? Why would he be sad Meng Yao could not attend the feast? They didn't even know each other.
The young man crossed his hands and bowed. "Then thank you for your efforts." His smile was kind and his silver eyes… were soft.
He bowed in return, feeling a little unprepared for this moment. He wasn't used to kindness being gifted just because it could be. Most people expected something in return.
Blinking, Meng Yao painted on an inviting smile that would usually sweeten the manner of those who didn't know him, and gestured with his arm toward a pavilion not too far off. "The feast is being held there, Wei-gongzi."
"Thanks!" the other nodded, slipping around him as he went to take another sip of his alcohol.
Meng Yao turned to continue on his way, when the voices of the same disciples from before, carried through the night, reaching his fine ears. Both were tinged by their consumption of alcohol but still clear enough to be understood even across distances.
"Wei-gongzi, you don't want to associate with him," one said.
"Yes, he's the song of a prostitute. Not someone fit to interact with the Head Disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect," the other added, a sneer lacing his tone.
And Wei Wuxian didn't even hesitate to say, "Well, I'm the son of a servant so… by status alone, we're not too far apart in the social hierarchy."
There was a moment of silence. Meng Yao felt frozen in place, unsure of what he should be doing with himself.
"And furthermore," Wei Wuxian went on to say, his tone blithe, "if prostitution is such a terrible thing one shouldn't be associated with, why is it unacceptable for a woman to have such a job no matter her circumstances, but in the same vein it's perfectly acceptable for a married man to dishonor his wife and seek out a woman with such a job? On multiple, documented occasions even?"
No one said anything in response to his words, but the rustling of clothing getting further and further away as quickly as possible, told Meng Yao that his harassers had fled instead of facing Wei Wuxian's very well-thought out and blunt words.
He'd never met someone who genuinely didn't care about the circumstances of his birth. Some people were disappointed, like it was his fault. Some tsked but chose to ignore it. Still, ignoring it because they didn't like it or it made them uncomfortable, was definitely not better than simply accepting it and not caring in the least.
Wei Wuxian knew the truth and yet… truly didn't care.
"Meng Yao!"
He turned, finding the other standing several paces away, smiling at him. "Don't let the words of the close-minded bring you down. If they wish to live their lives with this mindset, they will remain stagnant and never truly find peace. Your mother's job does not make her or you less deserving of respect or basic human decency. Anyone who disagrees isn't very righteous, and in my humble opinion, will never reach the ultimate goal of cultivation with such judgmental and poisonous thinking guiding them."
Wie Wuxian then bowed for a second time and went on his way, leaving Meng Yao breathless.
His heart fluttered like the wings of a bee. Almost like it would fly away on its own. He'd never felt like this before.
No one had ever spoken to him in such a way. Nor had anyone ever actually stood up for him… or his mother.
The Head Disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect did not know him or Meng Shi, and yet still afforded them kindness. He blatantly called out the double standards Jin Guangshan got away with. He made those Nie disciples look like fools in the process.
And above all else, he'd simply been kind.
It took that small interaction and then those absolutely unexpected words afterward, for Meng Yao's entire being to latch onto the image of Wei Wuxian.
He wanted to know everything he possibly could about the young man. He wanted to speak with him at length. To get his opinions on certain things that Meng Yao had strong opinions on.
Most of all… he wanted someone who could understand but not pity him.
Someone for him and him alone.
~.O.~
A/N: FINISHED!
How was it? Let me know!
Check out my many other fics!
See ya! :D
CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR. HELLY-WATERMELONSMELLINFELLON.