They shared a moment of silence.
Lanling took three shots before he finally found the resolve to speak. The burning in his throat cleared his head, and his heart, almost against his will, leaned closer to Haruki.
"I didn't mean to push you earlier. I'm sorry." His voice was soft, barely louder than the sound of the wind, but in the quiet, it carried.
"Th-That's fine," Haruki stammered, startled by the unexpected apology. "I overstepped my boundaries. I should be the one apologizing."
Lanling shook his head slowly. "No. I know... You gave me so many chances to move away or say something, but I didn't."
He closed his eyes briefly, hiding the turbulence within them, and poured himself another shot. He drained it in one go, letting the burn anchor him to the present.