Huaisang sat on the steps in front of Guanyin temple, still staring at Meng Yao's hat and the droplet of blood that had caught on his thumb. Wei-xiong had gone, and Wangji, and Xichen. Huaisang thought that Xichen in particular would probably prefer not to see him again for a while. Xichen had believed Meng Yao at once when he accused Huaisang of orchestrating his downfall. The others, Huaisang was pretty sure, weren't certain.

"Jiang Cheng!" Huaisang called, waving to him in hopes that he wouldn't leave yet. Of all of them, Jiang Cheng was the one he most wanted in his life, and would regret most if he lost. The others he could live without, if necessary. He would miss Wei-xiong and Wangji. Xichen he was glad to lose. He'd never been entirely certain whether Xichen really was ignorant of Meng Yao's crimes, or if he had actively enabled those crimes. But Jiang Cheng he still wanted as a friend. More than ever, now that it was over and Huaisang no longer had to fear for his life at the least misstep, no longer had to fear that he might drag Jiang Cheng into danger or that Jiang Cheng would decide that honor required rash action.

Huaisang is terrified. Though he is also extremely cute. ( Really, he thinks, he should have done this sooner. )