Through it all, Claudius holds Lan Wangji's hand. Claudius has no illusions about himself. He isn't supernaturally blessed. He isn't the protagonist, meant to emerge victorious from every conflict, but neither he is the sort of villain who flourishes outside of narrative limitations, who always comes out ahead despite being so obviously being in the wrong. He's from a tragedy.

And yet, coming from a tragedy, Claudius managed to met a truly good man, a man meant to be the romantic hero (Claudius sometimes thinks, with no evidence) who holds the antihero when he stumbles. Their brotherhood wasn't destiny. No one who wrote their stories required this happen, required Claudius to catch Lan Wangji, and look at him with a world's worth of gratitude and love. "I have thee," he murmurs. Of that much, he's sure. If he was wrong, to put Lan Wangji on this path, that's a responsibility he'll bear -- but he'll bear it gladly. He pulls his friend close.