The weight of a beating heart, by Himring (Madam Lan, Lan Wangji)

[hhimring]

Title: The weight of a beating heart
Author: Himring
Word Count/Drabble Type: 100
Character(s): Madam Lan, Lan Wangji
Rating/Warnings: Teens (blood, angst; reference to giving birth and allusion to dubious consent)
Author's Notes: I was inspired by lines from Ocean Vuong's poem Headfirst, although I did not use the lines that were last week's prompt.

~~~~


The birth had not been easy. Madam Lan lay in blood-stained sheets, unattended for now, as the Lans had gone to notify Quingheng-Jun and Qiren. She clutched her newborn to her chest. She would not get to keep this one either; Lans would claim him.

‘A-Zhan,’ she spoke a little slurred, ‘the Lans will try to convince you that the world is governed by rules, infinite rules, and all is clarity if you follow those rules. Behold, it is not true even in Gusu, much less beyond. You were born headfirst into chaos, my love. You must find your way.’

Comments

[elwendell]

Heart breaking.

[hhimring]

Thank you, Elwen!
Or maybe I should apologize.
But that poem by Ocean Vuong is really powerful...

[xinger]

This is really amazing. I love how much context you got into this scene, in addition to a powerful and even life-defining exchange. For both of them.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!