[wei wuxian also wants to ease his mind, finally repay the way lan wangji once soothed his with healing notes plucked from his guqin's strings. wei wuxian tries it with words, offering answers that won't lead to more questions. but lan wangji has never been one to let go easily. sixteen years of following chaos can attest to that.

he's still troubled, and wei wuxian can only watch the subtle signs of it while aching for him. a month ago and he could've offered comfort within his embrace, the space against each other's body making any hardship just a little more bearable. he can't do that anymore. he can only stay by his side while the younger man struggles with whatever he holds inside his heart, the barrier around it more impenetrable than cloud recesses' gate.

wei wuxian exhales, nearly inaudible. another question, and another chance to put him at ease. it's a fairly straight-forward question too. he's not sure how the truth could hurt him. maybe it'll even distract.]

Let's see...the better part of a year and more. [he looks up at the tree branches as he thinks back.] A spring and a summer and now another season too. [he chuckles.] Oh, I know! As long as it usually takes between a wedding and the birth of a new little lord!