The last sentence is what shocks Wuxian from the inner spiral. It sinks in, better than perhaps anything else. His head jerks around and he stares at Wangji for a long moment.

Then huffs out a little breath, relaxing a little. Bit by bit.

...He's hurting Wangji again. Just having asked that.

Selfish.

He doesn't say it.

Instead, "We won't fall."

A promise.

He steps away from the wall, a determined set to face and shoulders, then lets his eyes close as he focuses inwardly. Simple memories, of kinder, happier days. How to form your core and let it be seen.

His arms move almost on their own, hands seeming to pull up, then push back down in a graceful gesture. Wuxian feels the energy form even as he lets it go again with a shuddering breath, ignoring the tears that form then slip down pale cheeks.

There's joy, of course. But it's...fragile.

He swallows heavily, trying to pull himself together and stop worrying his closest friend.

"I...I'll talk to Jiang Cheng. About taking Suibian back..."