As if reading his thoughts, Lan Wangji continues, confirming his suspicions. At Nightless City. It's hard to remember much after his Shijie's dying words, her form lifeless in Jiang Cheng's arms, but it's there in flashes, in the main families united against him, in that dissonant melody that seemed more his own delusions, in facing down Bichen's blade, the rage of his brother's sword, and in the flicker of white that held him for just a moment longer.

His throat feels tight as he swallows, for once at a loss for words, when so often they tumble carelessly from his lips. Lan Zhan, for all his efforts, how did he still believe he owed Wei Wuxian anything?

He'd known the moment he said it that it couldn't be true. Lan Wangji didn't lie, didn't tease, didn't of all things joke. There were rules in place to discourage just that.

When Lan Wangji's grip finally eased, Wei Wuxian's arm fell uselessly to his side, his own grip nerveless and uncertain.

"Lan Zhan," his voice is quiet and soft and it takes more effort than usual to find what he wants to say, but Lan Wangji at the very least deserves absolution. To think he's held on to such a thing...

"You didn't do anything worth apologizing for," he insists, trying to ignore the weak feeling in his knees. He's caught for a moment by those intense eyes, and has to look down, look away, as guilt hangs heavy in him as well.