"My position is more tenuous than his, so there is a limit to what I can do," Runyu elaborates softly, having nothing in particular to hide beyond not wishing to overly burden a relative stranger with the inner workings of his life. "The best I am able to manage for him is to keep my head low, but the heart wishes to to better for those we love..."

Listening pensively to Xichen's own tale, Runyu nods his head slowly, thoughtfully, inviting Xichen to speak more of his life if he so wishes.

"...families often are, by blood or otherwise," he offers, waiting to see if Xichen will go on.