Moonlit Hearts

Chapter 34 : Fractures of Anger

Morning light crept into the house, soft but insistent, stirring Wangji from his sleep. The warmth beside him had long faded, and Wei Ying's familiar presence was gone from the bed. Wangji's hand rested on the cool sheet for a moment longer, a sense of quiet disappointment settling over him. He was used to waking up alone in recent weeks. Wei Ying had taken to rising earlier, always full of restless energy, but today something gnawed at the back of Wangji's mind—an echo of last night's unease.

Hel's words weighed heavily on him, a quiet storm in his thoughts. The deal she had offered lingered like an unanswered question: the chance to overthrow Odin, a path that could lead to freedom from this punishment, from this confining house in the mortal realm. Wangji had yet to give his answer, uncertain whether such a path was wise, or if it would only lead to greater chaos.

But as he dressed and descended the stairs, it wasn't Hel's proposal that tugged at him most; it was Wei Ying. His partner's behavior had shifted, and though subtle, it was enough to unsettle Wangji. The laughter that didn't quite reach his eyes, the absentminded way Wei Ying had stirred his tea last night as if lost in some distant thought, and now, his sudden disappearances early in the morning—it was all too out of place.

Wangji stepped into the kitchen, where the familiar voices of Sizhui and Jingyi filled the room, their youthful energy brightening the space. At the center of it, Wei Ying sat at the table, a smile playing on his lips as he listened to the boys, but Wangji noticed the stiffness in his posture. His fingers traced the rim of an untouched cup of tea, the movement too deliberate, too slow. Something wasn't right.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying greeted, his tone light as he turned toward Wangji, but there was something in his eyes, something that flickered and quickly disappeared. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No," Wangji replied, moving to sit beside him. "You left early."

Wei Ying shrugged, his fingers still idly circling the cup's edge. "Just couldn't sleep. Thought I'd come down and prepare some tea for everyone."

Wangji's gaze flickered to the tea. Wei Ying wasn't drinking his own cup, and the steam had long since dissipated. "You're not drinking."

Wei Ying chuckled, brushing off the comment with a light wave. "You know me, Lan Zhan. I've never been much of a tea person in the morning. I made it for you."

Wangji's brow furrowed slightly but said nothing. He reached for the cup and sipped. Though the steam had vanished, the tea was still warm, its gentle heat spreading through him. It was comforting, but the lingering concern in his chest remained. He could feel Wei Ying's gaze on him, studying his every movement.

"It's good," Wangji said quietly, his voice even, though the tension in the air was hard to ignore.

Sizhui and Jingyi, blissfully unaware of the quiet tension lingering in the room, were busy recounting their latest adventure. Jingyi's voice was bright with excitement as he turned to Wei Ying, full of youthful enthusiasm.

"We should head out soon for another night hunt," Jingyi said, bouncing on his feet. "There's more out there, and we could really use your expertise tonight, Wei-qianbei!"

It was the kind of invitation Wei Ying would have usually leapt at—the chance to throw himself into action, into the thrill of the hunt, to guide the younger disciples with his characteristic charm and boundless energy. Wangji instinctively turned his gaze to Wei Ying, expecting a bright grin or an eager response. But instead, Wei Ying hesitated. His smile faltered just a little too long, his fingers continuing to trace the rim of his tea cup.

"Oh, I've got some things to do around here," Wei Ying said, his voice a touch too light, the words rushed out quickly as if he hadn't quite thought them through. "But you boys go ahead! I'm sure you'll bring back something impressive."