[ A small mercy, to have his touch be accepted. But how much longer until the world crashes down on his head again? It's only a matter of time before Xingchen learns who he is. Who he really is.

But not having his hand go through the other's wrist is a blessing, too. This is real. Or a trick - but he's not seen many of those here. Monsters are more straight-forward here. At the reluctant agreement, he lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and lightly squeezes the captured wrist before tugging again to encourage the taller man to follow. ]

He will! We - the three of us - lived together when you were here before. A- ...He won't be angry I'm bringing you home with me.

[ 'A-Lan' almost slipped out, how he's grown used to calling Song Lan. A familiarity that would give...a lot away. ]