His trembling worsens and he barely dares to touch Xiao Xingchen, lightly brushing his fingers over his hair. Has anyone ever been this beautiful? No. His Daozhang is the loveliest, the only one worthy of his loyalty. He just needs a chance. Hunger flares inside of his heart, his soul, making him feverish, his eyes oddly bright.

"No, it shouldn't. You're right. But it happens every day." he trails off and blinks, tilting his head, unsure.

If? His heart throbs in his ears and his throat is dry. He waits, counting the seconds. Xingchen's fingers relax and he pets over them, trying to soothe away any ache.

"I have no reason to." is the blunt answer and he seems to realize it's blunt belatedly - thus he adds, "I know I can make you happy. I know I'll be happy with you. Are..." he hardly dares to ask, "Are you giving me another chance?"