Work Text:
Wei Wuxian was tired. Wei Wuxian was sad. Wei Wuxian was done.
Ever since he broke away from the cultivation world, he had done nothing but take care and protect the Wen remnants. He had always been devoted to helping the innocent and not giving into corruption and evil, and he would not betray his morals by leaving the Wens. He learned that the Wen were nice and caring people who had nothing to do with the deeds of their former leader. He loved them and was grateful by how quickly they accepted him, but Wei Wuxian was tired.
It was exhausting being on constant guard, waiting for some monster to jump from behind a tree. He never slept anymore. He hadn’t slept for more than thirty minutes in the past five months. When the rays of the sun touched the horizon in the distant sea, Wei Wuxian was already up and about trying to aimlessly plant the radishes once again. Today was no exception.
One by one, the Wen remnants began waking up and starting their daily chores. If nobody kept the burial mounds in check and as liveable as possible, then who would? Some of them took buckets to the nearby stream and began mixing the cold water and herbs, ready to make some flavorless tea. It didn’t taste great, but at least it was something. Wen Ning soon joined Wei Wuxian with the radishes.
“Master Wei. Did you sleep well?,” he asked although he already knew the answer.
Wei Wuxian offered him a tired smile, “Definitely! I haven’t slept that well in so long.”
Wen Ning and the other Wens who overheard knew he was lying. For one, they had been living here for months already and they had quickly picked up on his habit of staying up all night and day. They never mentioned it.
“I’m glad. Are you planning on going to the village with me today, Master Wei?,” Wen Ning asked, gaze strong yet timid.
“Ah, Wen Ning, I don’t know about that. I think you can handle the villagers for one day, eh?” asked Wei Wuxian.
“S-sure, Master Wei.” That was Wen Ning’s cue to leave.
Wen Ning could sense the turmoil and conflict in Wei Wuxian’s eyes. It was something that he had never seen before in the eyes of his master. His grey eyes that were once bright and alluring, a grey that one couldn’t escape, looked dead and dull. Before he left, he told Wen Qing to keep a close eye on Wei Wuxian.
But, she was too late.
Wen Qing was treating one of the older uncles when she heard A-Yuan screaming Wei Wuxian’s name over and over again. His shouts were horrific to the ears and his tears damaging to the soul. She quickly ran over to the small bundle of robes looking up at the unsteady cliff.
“A-Yuan! What’s wrong? Talk to me,” she shook the little boy but he wouldn’t respond. He lifted a finger and pointed at a black figure with a red ribbon standing on the cliff-
“Wei Wuxian! What do you think you’re doing?! Get down from there.”
Wei Wuxian showed no sign that he had heard her, except for the almost manic laugh that escaped his blood dripping lips.
“A-die! What’s wrong? Come down...A-Yuan scared…” the little boy begged and cried for Wei Wuxian to get down, but he paid him no mind.
Nobody had noticed when he slipped away from the small patch of land where their crops were growing. Nobody noticed him going into his cave and getting a small pouch that contained a few mysterious black powders. Nobody noticed him going to the edge of the cliff.
It was too late.
His gaze was directed at the grey clouds below him, wondering just how exactly he had gotten to this point.
He had been happy once. The boy with the most radiant smile and beautiful laugh. Wherever he went, people were charmed by his looks and personality. Maidens and men alike admired his skills and knowledge. He was an esteemed cultivator with a bright future in Lotus Pier and beyond.
But that was then and this is now.
Wei Wuxian is tired. Wei Wuxian is sad. Wei Wuxian is done.
And like that, Wei Wuxian fell. Helpless. Pitiful. Falling endlessly. Falling in silence. Repeating to himself: what did I ever do wrong?