"It's definitely you! You're the one from his world, not mine, and you were here and I even have stupid - stupid photographs - so don't be dumb!!" He knows he's getting worked up. He doesn't address the correction about Sizhui because, well, he already knows. He never meant it in the first place but he can hardly take it back.

"Of course he missed you." He sniffed, frustrated, then turned abruptly to look away, a ruddy colour raising to his cheeks.

He knew that Sizhui had missed Jingyi all too well. Had held him when the other boy had disappeared. Had promised to save Jingyi a space in their... well. Whatever weird relationship they had. But he couldn't exactly say all that.

He had a sudden brief panic over what Jingyi would think about the golden thread in Sizhui's hair but then pushed it aside. He wasn't ashamed!! Even if - even if Jingyi was actually Sizhui's fated person, he was pretty sure Sizhui wouldn't just push him away now that he was here.

Right?

He grit his teeth.

"Whatever. My point is, I can take you to him, if you want."