Later, Xingchen, Zichen will hold you as long as you like! It will help the food settle. But he can't let anything burn in the meantime and he trusts that Xue Yang and the wolf pup will make themselves useful when it comes to snuggling such a dear, sweet man.

"What did you encounter?" he can't help frowning, caught by the tug on his hair, "...a mother." he nods to himself, a bit torn, "Did she come close to threatening your lives? We can't have that."

Even so, mothers are special. Her young need her. He flushes at the nudge and ushers Xue Yang to the fire.

"You can enjoy his arms for a little longer in that case."

As he finishes in the kitchen, he hears the request and snorts to himself. It will be good to see Xingchen's comfort zone, so he makes no comment. But he does start to lay plates and such on the table.