Heaven. This is what heaven feels like. Xue Yang feels hope growing, still shy, still hesitant. Still a little fragile.

Being told to put a clean shirt on has him laugh and squeeze Xingchen before starting to pull away. Only to pause at the second statement. What it hints at. Trust. Care.

He slowly reaches up to cup Xingchen's face, careful and gentle. Precious. "If you want me to carry Jiangzai again, I will. I won't use it unless I have to for work, or to protect you."

Because Xingchen matters above all else.

But he remembers what else he's been told. And it's...more of a challenge to remember. "And...if I am attacked by someone here...I will only defend." Promises. For Xiao Xingchen. For his Daozhang.

Anything. Everything, for this precious man.