Drunken Mistake

DM 52

Wei Wuxian navigated through the bustling downtown streets, the cold afternoon air biting at his cheeks. The city's hum seemed distant as his thoughts lingered on the conversation he had with Lan Wangji that morning. He hadn't expected to see Lan Zhan here of all places. The office space was supposed to be Xue Yang's domain, his chaotic touches evident in every corner. But when Wei Wuxian entered the nearly furnished space, the tall figure of Lan Wangji stood by the adjoining walls, his posture straight and poised, exuding an air of quiet authority.

Lan Wangji turned when he heard the door open. His eyes met Wei Wuxian's, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was taut, stretching until it threatened to snap.

"This was Xue Yang's idea, right?" Lan Wangji's voice broke through the tension, his gaze flicking to the office spaces divided by a shared wall.

Wei Wuxian nodded, stepping further inside. "Yes. Even the logos are designed to merge into one when viewed from a certain angle." His lips curved into a small smile, his tone light despite the undercurrent of unease.

Lan Wangji's expression shifted, the mention of the logos dimming the faint humor in Wei Wuxian's words. "I know," he murmured, his voice carrying a weight Wei Wuxian hadn't anticipated. "A'Ying designed them."

The casual statement struck Wei Wuxian like a blow. He had forgotten that detail, buried under the layers of his carefully constructed new identity. He feigned nonchalance, leaning against the wall. "Ah, yes. Xue Yang's contact. Who would've thought your A'Ying would turn out to be him?"

Lan Wangji's gaze dropped to the floor for a beat before he looked back up. "I texted him," he confessed, his tone carefully measured, yet tinged with something fragile.

Wei Wuxian arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And how did that go?" He forced his voice to remain light, his heart beating just a little too fast.

"It was..." Lan Wangji hesitated, searching for the right words. "As if the years hadn't passed. He doesn't hold a grudge against me—at least, not outwardly. But there's something unspoken... perhaps..."

"Perhaps?" Wei Wuxian prodded gently.

Lan Wangji exhaled slowly, his gaze distant. "Perhaps he understood me better than I understood myself back then," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Wei Wuxian tilted his head, studying the man before him. "And is that a good thing?" he asked after a moment. "That your A'Ying understands your actions, even the ones you couldn't explain yourself?"

Lan Wangji closed his eyes briefly, his jaw tightening. When he opened them again, his expression was lined with regret. "If I hadn't run away like a coward," he said, his voice laden with emotion, "our lives could have been different. I could have healed him with friendship and love instead of breaking him by focusing on the worst moment of his life."

The raw honesty in Lan Wangji's words sent a jolt through Wei Wuxian. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to keep his composure. "Do you love him?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

Lan Wangji's head snapped up, his eyes burning with a mix of indignation and something unnameable. But Wei Wuxian's gaze wasn't accusatory. It was sad, weighted with years of unspoken fears and unanswered questions. Lan Wangji's expression softened, his lips twitching as though he wanted to offer reassurance. "I told him I'd moved on," he said quietly. "I told him about you."

Wei Wuxian's smile was faint and bittersweet. "That's not the answer I'm seeking, Ji Ge. You once told me that all you felt for your A'Ying was guilt and regret. Now that he's back in your life, I'm asking you again—do you love him?"