[ they make eye contact, and his smile is small, and genuine. all of the kindness and warmth that makes lu bixing who he is is who he is - even in a situation like this, with his worst on display, he's sincere and genuine, and harrow's returned sincerity is deeply appreciative. ]

Of course. [ he's still unsettled and unhappy, but there's something about hearing something so similar that helps. camaraderie, maybe. solidarity, if nothing else. those tiny hands that grabbed him on the execution stage still flash through his memories, even now - and it's almost a little comforting, too, to know that someone knows the actual context besides just lin. ] And thank you, too.

[ the feeling's mutual, in the worst and best kind of ways.

he reaches up after a moment, and scrubs a hand over his face. okay. okay. ]

Do you think we've shared enough of our suffering to get out of this hole? I'd really love to get out of this hole.