[Before he can use Orthodoxy, the touch of his hand activates a memory.
You are seventeen, and you have learned that your adoptive guardians -- your brother's parents -- are dead. You are running both from the knowledge and the danger of your invaded home, the breath hot and harsh in your lungs. Everything smells like smoke and scorched tar.
Jiang Cheng halts, doing a skidding turn, and starts going back the way you came. You startle and grab at him.
"What are you doing?! Don't go back!"
He shakes off your hand. "What're you saying? You're telling me not to go back? My parents' bodies are still in Lotus Pier. Am I to simply leave them there? Where else can I go, if not back!"
You tighten your grip. "What can you do if you go? They killed Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu. It's certain death for you!"
"Then so be it!" he screams. "Go fuck off if you're scared to die, but don't block my way!"
You try to pin him down; he dodges you and counterattacks, the two of you circling each other. "It's never too late to take revenge! Their bodies must be retrieved, but not right now!"
"If not now, then when? I've had enough of you! Fuck off!"
"They told me to look after you," you roar. "They want you well and safe!"
"Shut up!" Jiang Cheng screams back, shoving you off your feet. You fall back in shock, and he grabs you by the collar and shakes you, in a clear fury.
"Why!? Why!? Why!? Are you happy now!? Are you satisfied!?" You stare up at his reddened eyes, clawing at his wrists as he closes his hands around your neck and squeezes viciously.
"Jiang Cheng..." you choke out, and he slams you harder against the ground, your vision going spotty.
"Why did you have to save Lan Wangji!? Why did you have to meddle when you could've stayed out of it!? How many times have I told you not to stir up trouble!? Not to fight!? Do you like playing the hero so much!? Do you see what happens when you play hero!? Huh!? Are you happy now!? If Lan Wangji, Jin Zixuan and the rest die, then so be it! Let them die! What does it matter to us if they die!? What do they have to do with our family!? So why!? Why!? Go die, go and die, all of you, go and die! Die!"]
no subject
You are seventeen, and you have learned that your adoptive guardians -- your brother's parents -- are dead. You are running both from the knowledge and the danger of your invaded home, the breath hot and harsh in your lungs. Everything smells like smoke and scorched tar.
Jiang Cheng halts, doing a skidding turn, and starts going back the way you came. You startle and grab at him.
"What are you doing?! Don't go back!"
He shakes off your hand. "What're you saying? You're telling me not to go back? My parents' bodies are still in Lotus Pier. Am I to simply leave them there? Where else can I go, if not back!"
You tighten your grip. "What can you do if you go? They killed Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu. It's certain death for you!"
"Then so be it!" he screams. "Go fuck off if you're scared to die, but don't block my way!"
You try to pin him down; he dodges you and counterattacks, the two of you circling each other. "It's never too late to take revenge! Their bodies must be retrieved, but not right now!"
"If not now, then when? I've had enough of you! Fuck off!"
"They told me to look after you," you roar. "They want you well and safe!"
"Shut up!" Jiang Cheng screams back, shoving you off your feet. You fall back in shock, and he grabs you by the collar and shakes you, in a clear fury.
"Why!? Why!? Why!? Are you happy now!? Are you satisfied!?" You stare up at his reddened eyes, clawing at his wrists as he closes his hands around your neck and squeezes viciously.
"Jiang Cheng..." you choke out, and he slams you harder against the ground, your vision going spotty.
"Why did you have to save Lan Wangji!? Why did you have to meddle when you could've stayed out of it!? How many times have I told you not to stir up trouble!? Not to fight!? Do you like playing the hero so much!? Do you see what happens when you play hero!? Huh!? Are you happy now!? If Lan Wangji, Jin Zixuan and the rest die, then so be it! Let them die! What does it matter to us if they die!? What do they have to do with our family!? So why!? Why!? Go die, go and die, all of you, go and die! Die!"]