[ Finally he takes the seat offered, a sigh escaping as he settles and he turns his attention to the sweet kitten, leaning pointedly against him and rumbling to try and ease his distress. ]

I...surprised him...He did not realize how he felt until it was...too late. I...shattered. [ There is no strength to his voice as he answers. ]

Then I came here. And Xue Yang was here, again, following. Eventually we...learned how to lean on each other. He learned how to piece me together, and hold me together each time I start to break.

He...is the one person who...has never cast me aside out of anger, despite all the pain he has caused. He was...wounded. But we heal, together.