It feels incomprehensible, still, to think Lan Zhan has loved him for so long and so deeply. The knowledge of just how badly his death undid him pierces Wei Wuxian's heart. He cannot speak at all.

And Xichen --

He should have stood up to your uncle, he wants to protest. How could he have stood by and let it happen at all?

But even so... Xichen was there when Wei Wuxian, by the very nature of the events, could not be. He turned his firm guidance toward Lan Zhan to lead him from the worst of the dark. He returned again and again to keep Lan Zhan from being entirely alone.

Wei Wuxian swallows hard, and manages another quick, wordless nod.