[ Where there was anxiety at the distance in Alhaitham's gaze, the hands still wrapped securely around his give him comfort enough that when he's scolded, he doesn't even get frustrated or sharp the way he might normally, instead just nodding.

It helps, perhaps, that he knows how stupid a move it was. ]

Don't be too mad with him. He was scared you'd hate him for it, but he tried to help me anyway.

[ And, because he knows how Alhaitham values his privacy: ]

And just so you know, he's the only person I've talked with about us. I didn't even talk to Tighnari about it or anything. I just knew that Xie Lian would... understand, I guess. Because he has to play the stupid game even though he's married.

[ Kaveh sighs, his free hand coming up to the back of his own neck, a frustrated expression forming on his features as he shakes his head. ]

I'm sorry. I'm terrible at this.