Finally.

That was the last thing Wei Wuxian thought before he lost control of the wheel. Even as the airbag burst open in front of him, the protective bag of air hitting his face, the pressure building up right before his eyes, pushing him back, back and back. The glass shards were like bullets, embedding themselves deeply into his skin. Why don't I feel anything? There was no bite, no pain, only the hazy feeling of warm liquid trickling down his skin, seeping into every crevice and pore. His bones creaked, and he couldn't help but remember the old tree, an ancient oak. If only, he thought, the corners of his lips turning up. Before the world went back into swirling darkness, leaving him oblivious to the worried screams that doused the wreck.

I used to float, but now I just fall down.

I used to know, but I'm not sure now

What I was made for

What was I made for?

"Jie jie?" Was the first thing out of Wei Wuxian's lips when he opened his eyes, the soft, familiar face gazing back at him with warm, hazel eyes. His head felt like a sledgehammer had hit it multiple times, but for some reason, he couldn't seem to remember exactly what happened. "A-Xian," came the soft whisper, "You came down to see me."

"What are you doing here?" He blurted out, the gears in his mind slowly winding to remember that the woman who stood in front of him, was now dead.

Dead when he'd found her months ago, though it barely felt like weeks. Nearly then when he pulled her close, trying desperately to seek a pulse, he waited for the familiar thump, thump, thump, his fingers threading through hers slowly, ignoring the cold blood that seeped from her fingers. He imagined her eyes fluttering open for a moment, but the moment he blinked, her eyes were closed again.

Wei Wuxian wasn't sure how long he'd stayed there, cradling her corpse to his chest. Wasn't sure how the report was made. He barely remembered reaching for his phone, the blur of words even more unimaginable to him.

Gone. The word haunted him for weeks, the memory of phantom arms embracing him, combing through his hair softly, and wiping his tears away a constant, the same way waking up alone was. It was almost odd, the way every morning started with a jolt, a whisper, and the blank realisation that the person he was looking for simply wasn't there anymore.

Then the whispers started. Somehow, pictures of him holding his sister leaked out, and people started accusing him of all kinds of things, even after the results of the investigation had been released. Ungrateful brat. Good-for-Nothing. Murderer. The words felt like brands against his skin, ripping him apart, layer by layer, like someone unpeeling the delicate layers of onion. But the words sank deep, deeper than he'd like to admit. The irrational urge to claw out the words, to carve them out of his skin soothed him in a maniacal, twisted way. Maybe then, something would feel real, he thought. Maybe it'd be real.

"I belong here," Jiang Yanli answered simply, a bittersweet smile on her lips. "How have you been, A-Xian?"

Freaking gods, how badly he'd missed that smile. Without saying a word, he ran up to her, hugging her tightly. Warm arms wrapped around him protectively, and Wei Ying almost sobbed at the feel of arms around him. She's real, she's real. She's real. Jiang Yanli simply pulled him closer, until he was safely in her arms. She didn't disappear. For the first time in months. Wei Wuxian couldn't help but remember chasing the familiar silhouette, until they were standing face to face. But anytime he stepped too close or reached out to touch her, she dissipated, and he was left grasping at nothing. She's here. And as the words registered, a wave of tears started trickling down his cheeks.

"A-Jie," he choked out, dissolving into her arms once again. "A-Jie-"

But Yanli simply held him, hugging him until his face was buried safely into the crook of her neck. "It's okay," she hummed. "It's going to be okay,"

Even though Wei Ying knew that the words were likely just sweet nothings, he let the words soothe him, wash over him. Let the words fray the edge of worry in his stomach, the tension in his shoulders easing as the tears flowed, trickling out of his eyes in what felt like a never-ending stream.

"Jie jie is here," Yanli soothed, petting the small of his back, the same way she had always done when they were kids. "Jie Jie will be behind you, okay?"

Not for the first time today, but for once in a very, very long time, Wei Wuxian found himself at a loss for words. It was almost ironic, how he'd once prided himself on being able to talk his way out of any situation. There's no talking my way out of this one, he thought. But whatever it was, at least he wouldn't be alone.

For now, at least.

Yanli just held him, letting him cry. Any words he had came out in broken sobs, the thoughts coming in a convoluted stream of nothing.

"You don't have to say anything," she soothed. "Just be here. You're going to be okay." But okay seemed so far away. It was hard to imagine being okay again, even if he had her here again. A-Jie, he wanted to say, but nothing pushed past his lips, the story of the last few months dying away in his throat, as he tried to blink away the tears. Nothing felt okay. How do I get out of this? He wondered, but as the question slipped into his mind, the age-old adage resurfaced.

"If there's a will, there's a way," Yanli whispered, clutching her younger brother closer. As if by holding him she'd be able to take all the pain away. Chase all his troubles away and defend him the way she'd done when they were kids, because some things never really changed, not even in death. And just like before, she wouldn't be able to protect him, not fully. She could only be there.

She could only hope it'd be enough.

For now. 

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A/N: 1050 words! Yay! back to our usual angstfest- (can you hear my sarcasm?) would you believe me if I told you I've been working on this for about 2 months now? Life's been hectic...so sorry for the short update, but yeah...it's been really busy, I'm not sure if I can update anytime soon- so sorry for that, exams are really coming up, and I'm not feeling so well- this part is inspired by the song by Billie Eilish- "What was I made for" it was one of my favorite songs, and linked at the top, feel free to check it out!
Also, this is somehow part 90 of this book, so yay! This part is just the start to another story I've planned, I promise I'll get it underway as soon as I can, and get some of the other works going once everything ends in a few months. I can't believe it's been...almost 3 years since I've been on this app....and working on Mdzs Oneshots...*shakes head at self* either ways, thank you guys so much for reading, I hope you've enjoyed this! ❤️