It’s getting harder to temper his expectations, try though he might. When WWX looks at him like that, he doesn’t feel so entirely out of reach. Maybe the gulf between them isn’t quite as wide as LWJ thought. Maybe there’s a way across.
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“Lan Zhan, I—” He smiles wryly. “There’s so much I need to… I don’t even know where to start.”
LWJ’s stomach clenches. Despite the hope that has been slowly creeping in, he can’t help but feel a flash of panic, conjuring all the worst things WWX’s words might be preamble to.
There’s so much he needs to do in his life, in his career, and he’s realized being a parent won’t fit into that. Or so much he needs work through before he can forgive Lan Wangji for not trying harder to find him, to tell him about his son.
WWX rubs his nose. “Guess I can start with today and work my way back. That fan taking pictures. I’m sorry I didn’t think about…I should have known better than to put A-Yuan in that situation.”
LWJ blinks. This is so far from what he expected, he doesn’t know what to say.
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Afterward, WWX helps put A-Yuan down for his nap—which A-Yuan only agrees to once WWX promises to still be here when he wakes.
He and WWX retreat to the living room, and an awkward silence settles over them (save for the sounds of LQR in the kitchen, preparing dinner already).
LWJ’s stomach clenches. Despite the hope that has been slowly creeping in, he can’t help but feel a flash of panic, conjuring all the worst things WWX’s words might be preamble to.
LWJ blinks. This is so far from what he expected, he doesn’t know what to say.