He knows well enough his heart is weak and easily hurt. It doesn't take much to move him to tears, but even so, this feels overwhelming. He hadn't mean to fall, but strong arms keep him from hitting the floor too hard, and he's vaguely aware of hands that seem much too close. Someone calls his name, even the voice sounds right, hits a nerve, and there's a moment or two of blinking comprehension as he shakes his head, his mask knocked askew.

Tears won't stop falling, unbidden, like there's a weight around his heart, and it seems little use to keep wearing the unwieldy mask when he can barely see to wipe his own tears. Up close it's impossible not to notice the striking similarities to Lan Wangji. Has time passed again without him? How else could he account for the differences?

He tries to cover his face, hide behind hand and sleeve as he shakes his head in reply, too thrown by the chaotic emotions to understand it. He was fine just moments ago. Is it a curse?

"There's something... wrong with me," he sobs now, ugly and wracking.