[Feb 22][Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan][In Between]

[lilacfield.livejournal.com]

Title: In Between
Day/Theme: Feb 22/the ox's kindness
Series: Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan
Character: Guo Jing, Qiu Chuji
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan belongs to Jin Yong, et al.


"Does the highest sacrifice always equal death?" Guo Jing demanded. He supposed he was more than half-drunk - and it was terribly rude to be slurring drunk in front of an older person, and a priest to boot - but at present he felt he was entitled to be as sodden as he wanted. Your mother did not die to save you every day, after all. "Does it, Reverend?"

Qiu Chuji handed him another bottle of warmed wine. Guo Jing blinked, then grabbed it, the deliberate lack of courtesy this time heady like the bottle's content.

"Do you plan to get drunk for very long?" Qiu Chuji said in a soothing, almost paternal tone. "Mrs. Guo would be keenly disappointed in you."

"Just for tonight, Reverend Qiu; just for tonight. Join me?"

"No. You won't be able to hold up your head after that bottle, anyhow."

Guo Jing slammed his cup down on the table, sloshing wine all over. "My mother lived for my sake - so she could give birth to me, and raise me to be a dutiful son. I couldn't even help her." He began to cry. "And now Rong-er is also gone. Have you ever seen someone who's so much of a failure, Reverend Qiu?"

"I hope you won't remember what you have just said, Jing-er. Some memories can be too embarrassing to bear. No, you are not a failure. Your mother has done a wonderful job, both in life and in death. You will know this for yourself in the morning."

But Guo Jing had already fallen asleep. Qiu Chuji rose from his chair, uncharacteristically quietly, and signaled at the hovering waiter to help him hoist Guo Jing onto his shoulder. He sometimes forgot that it hurt being so young; you heard but barely understood that time did heal, or at least help soften the rough edges of, all wounds.