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"Tough day?" The guy Wei Wuxian was addressing did look rough. Looking tired was one thing, this guy looked exhausted. More importantly, he seemed to be either close to tears or shortly before tears or, most likely, both. Had cried and would cry again. Wei Wuxian wondered whether he had any tissues with him only to remember that he never had any tissues with him. In fact, the only times he remembered using tissues was when someone else offered him one.
So he could not do that. Maybe he had something else somewhere? Perhaps a piece of candy or something. While he felt his pockets, he added another question. "What's wrong?"
So he could not do that. Maybe he had something else somewhere? Perhaps a piece of candy or something. While he felt his pockets, he added another question. "What's wrong?"
"Yes. Tough." Meng Yao mumbled, not really wanting to talk to the guy who sat next to him on the bench. He stayed where he was, hugging his weird device to his chest. He didn't know what it was. Music box lamp? He didn't know. It had been all he could afford as a present back then and it just would have been nice if one of those jerks could have fixed the damn thing. Then, at least, there would be something working in his shitty life.
No friends, no love, constantly haunted by the happiness of his high school bully and working for his cruel father. There was nothing good about the world he lived in. "I just want to get this fixed and no one wants to help me."
No friends, no love, constantly haunted by the happiness of his high school bully and working for his cruel father. There was nothing good about the world he lived in. "I just want to get this fixed and no one wants to help me."
"What is it?" Wei Wuxian looked at it, trying to figure out. "I mean, it's pretty. But what's it do?" If he cared that much about it that not having it fixed upset him to this degree, Wei Wuxian assumed that it could do something awe-inspiring in some way. Or perhaps it at least ought to, to be worth this much misery. "It's got a flower inside?"
That was one observation he could make. "It's meant to, what, light up?"
That was one observation he could make. "It's meant to, what, light up?"
"It's supposed to light up and play music. It was a gift for someone but it never got delivered. It got broke and I just wanted to fix it. I think it's special." No one else did. It was ugly, useless junk to most but to Meng Yao, it was important. He liked it a lot. He kept it close to him, glaring off ahead and wondering if he could post online and find a handyman.
"Music boxes make good gifts, you know?" His father had gifted his mother one. She kept it until she died. He thought it'd be nice if Mei had a similar gift from him but that boat had long since sailed. Now he just wanted it.
"Music boxes make good gifts, you know?" His father had gifted his mother one. She kept it until she died. He thought it'd be nice if Mei had a similar gift from him but that boat had long since sailed. Now he just wanted it.
"Depends on the song, I guess." Clearly there was sentimental value to it though. Wei Wuxian held his hand out, smiling in a way he assumed was trustworthy and reassuring. "Would you let me have a look? I've been known to be quite good at it. Repairing things." Sometimes with intentional or unintentional side-effects but he was certainly good at it.
"If it's special to you, then it's special. Would you still gift it to someone?"
"If it's special to you, then it's special. Would you still gift it to someone?"
"Only if you're careful. It's broken at the top." Meng Yao hesitated for a while and then finally, reluctantly, he held out the item to Wei Wuxian and waited for him to have it firmly in his hands before he let go. "You can look but please, don't make it worse. I want it repaired and I don't want an amateur messing with it... no offence."
He bit his lower lip and watched Wei Wuxian intently. "No. Those days are long gone. It would just be for me."
He bit his lower lip and watched Wei Wuxian intently. "No. Those days are long gone. It would just be for me."
"I'm not an amateur. I'm quite the expert." On a lot of things. Wei Wuxian had a look now, lifting the music box and looking at it from all sides, inspecting it for a closer look. "The days of giving gifts are gone? That's telling."
Someone who had no one to give gifts too meant that there was no loved one. No one to care about. That explained the deep-seated misery coming off of the man in waves. "You're still young, why are you so upset? What if I could fix this gift for you?"
He was certain he could. "Would it help?"
Someone who had no one to give gifts too meant that there was no loved one. No one to care about. That explained the deep-seated misery coming off of the man in waves. "You're still young, why are you so upset? What if I could fix this gift for you?"
He was certain he could. "Would it help?"
"My youth prevents me from being upset?" Meng Yao raised his eyebrows and then shook his head, in disbelief. This punk didn't look any older than him so why was he trying to police his misery. He was allowed to be upset. Nothing ever went his way. He was broke, he worked 12 hour days, he had no friends or family and the last girl he got anywhere with wanted a very expensive dinner out. At that shitheads restaurant.
He refused to ever give that man any of his money... not that his boycott mattered, he was broke.
"If you could fix it, it would help. If you give me a follow up number." He didn't want to risk losing it. "How much?"
He refused to ever give that man any of his money... not that his boycott mattered, he was broke.
"If you could fix it, it would help. If you give me a follow up number." He didn't want to risk losing it. "How much?"
"Nah. Youth just makes it harder to have perspective but you get upset all the same. maybe more so." Wei Wuxian conceded the point. "I just thought you're a bit young to have given up already."
Apparently he hadn't given up entirely at least. "I just need to take it to my workshop and then I can send it to you. Should be done by tomorrow latest. I've fixed much more complicated things than that. You should have seen the mess I made of some of my own stuff not long ago."
Or maybe a long time ago. Time was relative, really. "It's free. You look too sad for me to want to charge you."
Apparently he hadn't given up entirely at least. "I just need to take it to my workshop and then I can send it to you. Should be done by tomorrow latest. I've fixed much more complicated things than that. You should have seen the mess I made of some of my own stuff not long ago."
Or maybe a long time ago. Time was relative, really. "It's free. You look too sad for me to want to charge you."
"If you take it for free, I worry there's no incentive to bring it back." Meng Yao checked his pockets and after a long search, he could only pull together ten dollars. Pitiful. Even so, he held it out like it was an intentional sum that meant something. "Here's a down payment. You'll get a proper fee when it's done."
Whatever. Maybe he'd steal it. Maybe he'd never see it again. Perhaps that was for the best.
"If you can fix it, I'd be very grateful." Meng Yao confessed, bowing to the other man. "As I say, it is very sentimental. It would only stay with me though, it's definitely cursed."
Whatever. Maybe he'd steal it. Maybe he'd never see it again. Perhaps that was for the best.
"If you can fix it, I'd be very grateful." Meng Yao confessed, bowing to the other man. "As I say, it is very sentimental. It would only stay with me though, it's definitely cursed."
"It's cursed? Whoa, maybe I should ask for money." Wei Wuxian grinned, but he did take the money, before carefully placing the item on his lap, so that he wouldn't end up forgetting about it. he could be quite forgetful. "Give me your address then, so I can send it. And you can give me your phone number..."
He knew he had a phone somewhere. He looked for it through two pockets before he found it, unlocking it before handing it to Meng Yao. The screen showed a black and a white bunny cuddling. "Why do you think it's cursed?"
He knew he had a phone somewhere. He looked for it through two pockets before he found it, unlocking it before handing it to Meng Yao. The screen showed a black and a white bunny cuddling. "Why do you think it's cursed?"
He took the phone and added himself as a contact, including his address within the contact. "My address and number are saved. Please, leave it in front of my door on the forth floor. Any lower and the old biddy will steal it." That annoying old lady was always opening his mail and nosing around.
Looking at the item, Meng Yao frowned as he tried to work it out - why he felt it was cursed? "Every time I try to give it to someone, something bad happens. I wanted to give it to someone at school and it ended badly for me. And then I decided to regift it for a wedding... the groom died. I have a feeling like it's a bad omen that only belongs with me."
Looking at the item, Meng Yao frowned as he tried to work it out - why he felt it was cursed? "Every time I try to give it to someone, something bad happens. I wanted to give it to someone at school and it ended badly for me. And then I decided to regift it for a wedding... the groom died. I have a feeling like it's a bad omen that only belongs with me."
"That is a lot... My condolences, by the way." Wei Wuxian pocketed his phone and inspected the item again. He didn't feel anything that could be a curse. Just ordinary bad luck then. Which was perhaps even more tragic. "I've been called a curse."
Quite frequently, actually. "So maybe it's meant to be that I help you out. Perhaps after I'm done fixing it, it will be a good luck charm instead. I'll do my best."
He grinned, then looked to the side. "Ah, my bus is coming! Is that yours too?"
Quite frequently, actually. "So maybe it's meant to be that I help you out. Perhaps after I'm done fixing it, it will be a good luck charm instead. I'll do my best."
He grinned, then looked to the side. "Ah, my bus is coming! Is that yours too?"
"No, I'm going to walk home." He watched the bus pulled up and wondered if this weird, cursed man was really going to fix his stuff or if he'd never see him again. Either way, he bowed politely. "Have a good ride home. Thank you and hopefully, I will hear from you soon."
As Wei Wuxian got up, he watched his music box with concern. He sincerely hoped it didn't kill everyone on the bus.
As Wei Wuxian got up, he watched his music box with concern. He sincerely hoped it didn't kill everyone on the bus.
He didn't often dream of high school. He hated high school. He was bullied every single day of high school, he struck out with his true love there, he had to be around his stuck up brother and overall, he hadn't liked a second of it. He had nightmares but they were always more abstract, not really like this.
This dream felt too real. It was almost like he was back in high school. It was so vivid. He woke up in his old bed, with his old bedsheets and everything. He had schedules on his phone and they were all about school tests.
And then there was the date on the calendar.
It was the day he was supposed to give Lian Mei his present. Shit.
The present!
He left the house eventually, carefully holding the present and hurrying towards the school. No school bag, no supplies, but he had bothered to put on the uniform - he didn't want to look like a slob but he wasn't actually going to attend school... right? It was a dream, usually one could skip the boring parts.
Arriving at school, the big clock showed it was second period. Third period, free period, was when they exchanged gifts. He had never cut class before, even in a dream, and it was kind of funny. He had been late the original day too, because he had a dentist appointment. He had been very late coming back so he was running and that was when he hit Xue Yang. The delinquent wasn't in class for some reason!
Well, not this time. He gripped the gift tight and prepared himself. This time, he would not drop the gift. Even if he had to hurt his shoulder, he would not relent. Not to Xue Yang. Not this time.
This dream felt too real. It was almost like he was back in high school. It was so vivid. He woke up in his old bed, with his old bedsheets and everything. He had schedules on his phone and they were all about school tests.
And then there was the date on the calendar.
It was the day he was supposed to give Lian Mei his present. Shit.
The present!
He left the house eventually, carefully holding the present and hurrying towards the school. No school bag, no supplies, but he had bothered to put on the uniform - he didn't want to look like a slob but he wasn't actually going to attend school... right? It was a dream, usually one could skip the boring parts.
Arriving at school, the big clock showed it was second period. Third period, free period, was when they exchanged gifts. He had never cut class before, even in a dream, and it was kind of funny. He had been late the original day too, because he had a dentist appointment. He had been very late coming back so he was running and that was when he hit Xue Yang. The delinquent wasn't in class for some reason!
Well, not this time. He gripped the gift tight and prepared himself. This time, he would not drop the gift. Even if he had to hurt his shoulder, he would not relent. Not to Xue Yang. Not this time.
Xue Yang was in the hallway, biding his time until the lesson ended so he could slip in when it was a bit less obvious. Besides, he really wanted to miss whatever lesson they had right now. He wasn't even sure what it was, but looking inside there had been a banana peel in the teacher's hand and that just seemed too weird.
So he stayed outside, tossing his keys to himself as he waited. When he heard steps approaching, he turned his head and when he recognised his classmate, he grinned. "What? You're late? That's so embarrassing."
He took a step further into the middle, facing Meng Yao. Clearly not intending to simply let him pass.
So he stayed outside, tossing his keys to himself as he waited. When he heard steps approaching, he turned his head and when he recognised his classmate, he grinned. "What? You're late? That's so embarrassing."
He took a step further into the middle, facing Meng Yao. Clearly not intending to simply let him pass.
Meng Yao looked at Xue Yang and yes, this is the one he remembered. Not the smug asshole from the commercials and TV. No, this one. The punk that stole Mei from him, broke his present and beat him up. The one who took his clothes when he was showering after gym, the one that teased him and spread rumours about him being a pervert. He hated Xue Yang.
But he was just a boy. An idiot boy. And Meng Yao was a man.
"What's embarrassing is you hiding in the hallway. Just go into class, if you're so untouchable. Who cares?" Meng Yao dismissed as he moved to walk around Xue Yang. "Move, please."
But he was just a boy. An idiot boy. And Meng Yao was a man.
"What's embarrassing is you hiding in the hallway. Just go into class, if you're so untouchable. Who cares?" Meng Yao dismissed as he moved to walk around Xue Yang. "Move, please."
"I mean, I care. Class is a drag right now. They are discussing fruit or some shit, who cares?" Xue Yang pulled a face, taking a step to the side to keep on blocking Meng Yao. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Clearly there was nothing that exciting going on. "Who says I'm untouchable anyway? I'm not. I can be touched." With a grin, he reached out and shoved Meng Yao's shoulder. Just slightly. "You can too."
Which was fun. "Eh, you are late same as me. Don't think you're better than I am."
Clearly there was nothing that exciting going on. "Who says I'm untouchable anyway? I'm not. I can be touched." With a grin, he reached out and shoved Meng Yao's shoulder. Just slightly. "You can too."
Which was fun. "Eh, you are late same as me. Don't think you're better than I am."
"I'm not in a hurry, I have two minutes until the bell goes. Then it's free period. I just want to get to my locker." Inside, he had a card, if he remembered correctly. It'd be a good thing to gift Lian Mei with something he wrote personally alongside it. "You're in the way."
Of course, Xue Yang knew that. He wasn't insane, he didn't want to get beaten up in his dream but he wasn't going to stand by and hide away like he always did. He had been a teenager then, now he was an adult. He didn't have to hide and beg. Besides, it was a fucking dream - who even cared?
"I think I'm smarter than you." Meng Yao informed him boldly, went left so Xue Yang followed him and then spun around, in a nice little circle, using the distraction to slip passed Xue Yang. He was more elegant as a teenager - much more flexible. He could still move with agility. Now he was past Xue Yang, he laughed. "Haha, you missed."
Of course, Xue Yang knew that. He wasn't insane, he didn't want to get beaten up in his dream but he wasn't going to stand by and hide away like he always did. He had been a teenager then, now he was an adult. He didn't have to hide and beg. Besides, it was a fucking dream - who even cared?
"I think I'm smarter than you." Meng Yao informed him boldly, went left so Xue Yang followed him and then spun around, in a nice little circle, using the distraction to slip passed Xue Yang. He was more elegant as a teenager - much more flexible. He could still move with agility. Now he was past Xue Yang, he laughed. "Haha, you missed."
"What the fuck was that?" Xue Yang was too baffled to be angry, blinking as he tried to figure out just what had even happened. "Are you dancing with me now?"
He ended up letting out an incredulous laugh. Then he sped up with a sudden spring, only to this time end up walking next to Meng Yao, with an arm loosely around his shoulder. "You're funny today, Yao. I like it."
Certainly entertaining in a different way than when he just stared at the ground pretending to not be there. Although that was funny too. "So, you are smarter than me. Anything else?"
He ended up letting out an incredulous laugh. Then he sped up with a sudden spring, only to this time end up walking next to Meng Yao, with an arm loosely around his shoulder. "You're funny today, Yao. I like it."
Certainly entertaining in a different way than when he just stared at the ground pretending to not be there. Although that was funny too. "So, you are smarter than me. Anything else?"
"Don't touch me." Rolling his eyes, he ducked under the arm. Literally. He crouched until he was out from under Xue Yang and slipped behind him because his locker was right there and he wanted only that. His mind was focus on one mission and Xue Yang was just a weird pest in the way of what he was doing.
He put in his code and opened his locker, pulling out the gift bag with a card in it. He put the present into it carefully with a content smile.
Turning to Xue Yang, he gave him a cocky smile. "This isn't your world, it's mine. So back off and let me get my happy ending, okay?"
He put in his code and opened his locker, pulling out the gift bag with a card in it. He put the present into it carefully with a content smile.
Turning to Xue Yang, he gave him a cocky smile. "This isn't your world, it's mine. So back off and let me get my happy ending, okay?"
Edited 2025-06-15 19:08 (UTC)
"I always thought we kinda... shared the world," Xue Yang remarked idly, mostly distracted by this display. What was going on? He had never seen his classmate like this before. That smile suited him quite well, especially with the dimples. "Huh."
Strange. "Go and get it then, tiger."
More of a kitten, but whatever. He grinned and stepped back, playfully gesturing with a bit of a flourish. "Off you go."
Strange. "Go and get it then, tiger."
More of a kitten, but whatever. He grinned and stepped back, playfully gesturing with a bit of a flourish. "Off you go."
"I will."
The bell was ringing and Meng Yao looked through the bag. It was actually how he wanted it - for the first time, he felt like something had gone right. All he had to do was go upstairs, present it to Lian Mei before Xue Yang could claim credit for something he hadn't done and then -- well, he didn't know? Good dream? Better future? Who was to say? This whole thing was so weird.
He held the bag in his hand, closed his locker and turned around in the sea of people. So many kids changing to their electives. He had missed that. He moved through them until he got to the open area by the staircase. He had a determined smile on his face and as he looked up the staircase, he stopped immediately. His smile dropped off his face.
He was staring at Jin Zixuan. Alive. Walking down the stairs, entirely normal. He was in such shock, all he could do was stare.
The bell was ringing and Meng Yao looked through the bag. It was actually how he wanted it - for the first time, he felt like something had gone right. All he had to do was go upstairs, present it to Lian Mei before Xue Yang could claim credit for something he hadn't done and then -- well, he didn't know? Good dream? Better future? Who was to say? This whole thing was so weird.
He held the bag in his hand, closed his locker and turned around in the sea of people. So many kids changing to their electives. He had missed that. He moved through them until he got to the open area by the staircase. He had a determined smile on his face and as he looked up the staircase, he stopped immediately. His smile dropped off his face.
He was staring at Jin Zixuan. Alive. Walking down the stairs, entirely normal. He was in such shock, all he could do was stare.
They had never discussed it, obviously, but for years Meng Yao and him had coexisted without acknowledging each other. Jin Zixuan always felt it was a shame but also had no idea how to break that custom. He certainly knew his father would not want him to break it. Also, he was never good at starting conversations. Or keeping them going, for that matter.
But when he noticed Meng Yao staring at him now, he froze and simply stood on the staircase for a few seconds. Finally, he inclined his head. "Brother."
But when he noticed Meng Yao staring at him now, he froze and simply stood on the staircase for a few seconds. Finally, he inclined his head. "Brother."
Meng Yao had no idea what came over him but he dropped his important fucking bag on the floor and hurried up the steps so he could hug Jin Zixuan.
He always felt like it was his fault. He had wished death on Jin Zixuan so often. Too often. It was only a week before the wedding that Jin Zixuan had expressed his regret that they had never been close. It was five days later that he had crashed and died. It wasn't his fault, some idiot in a van hit him. And it was his fault because for years, he looked at his dumb sports car with envy and hoped that the idiot would lose control and die. He willed it into existence and he couldn't take it back.
So he just held his brother now, tight, his heart racing. "I'm so sorry."
He always felt like it was his fault. He had wished death on Jin Zixuan so often. Too often. It was only a week before the wedding that Jin Zixuan had expressed his regret that they had never been close. It was five days later that he had crashed and died. It wasn't his fault, some idiot in a van hit him. And it was his fault because for years, he looked at his dumb sports car with envy and hoped that the idiot would lose control and die. He willed it into existence and he couldn't take it back.
So he just held his brother now, tight, his heart racing. "I'm so sorry."
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