Even though he'd perfectly well poked the lion, he was still surprised to receive its claws.
Guilt settles low in his belly for intentionally hurting Lan Wangji like that. He'd meant for it to push him away, to get Lan Wangji to give up on him and to either believe that he'd killed the man he loved or that there truly wasn't anything remaining. Instead, he feels guilt and regret, and Lan Wangji still will not let go of him.
The reiteration is on the tip of his tongue. He's gone. Shall I show you the bog? The monster's still hungry. But either it will only wound Lan Wangji deeper and he will still not give up, or he will take his determination to that bog. Even if it were true, Wei Wuxian does not want him to go. He does not want him to be hurt.
Miserable for a long time. That, more than anything, makes Wei Wuxian think that he might be right. The man he described, brave, selfless, and full of mischief, didn't sound like someone Wei Wuxian would recognize. Miserable... that part he knew.
Quiet for a long time as his mind churns over all of that, he finds that his grip on the leash has tightened, keeping it painfully taut.
Whatever else is or isn't true, he wants to keep Lan Wangji. All other options are unbearable.
"All right, Lan Zhan," he murmurs at last, easing up his grip on the leash. "I'll be him for you."
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Guilt settles low in his belly for intentionally hurting Lan Wangji like that. He'd meant for it to push him away, to get Lan Wangji to give up on him and to either believe that he'd killed the man he loved or that there truly wasn't anything remaining. Instead, he feels guilt and regret, and Lan Wangji still will not let go of him.
The reiteration is on the tip of his tongue. He's gone. Shall I show you the bog? The monster's still hungry. But either it will only wound Lan Wangji deeper and he will still not give up, or he will take his determination to that bog. Even if it were true, Wei Wuxian does not want him to go. He does not want him to be hurt.
Miserable for a long time. That, more than anything, makes Wei Wuxian think that he might be right. The man he described, brave, selfless, and full of mischief, didn't sound like someone Wei Wuxian would recognize. Miserable... that part he knew.
Quiet for a long time as his mind churns over all of that, he finds that his grip on the leash has tightened, keeping it painfully taut.
Whatever else is or isn't true, he wants to keep Lan Wangji. All other options are unbearable.
"All right, Lan Zhan," he murmurs at last, easing up his grip on the leash. "I'll be him for you."