"Well, yeah, but it's not like-- child abuse is different from just, cultivators are violent and demons are violent? I'm sure my king backhands all of his servants into walls, I'm just more annoying and more consistently personally interacting with him! And I'm an adult cultivator, it's not like he did like, real damage!"

Oh... Casper's lips press against his head and Shang Beida melts into his chest. Tenderness is really not something he ever though he'd have the chance to experience.

"I'm-- thank you. For trusting me. I'm not... a very trustworthy person, I know that, Cucumber-bro once said I reminded him of a used car salesman, but I just... I'd give you the world if I could. If I could make one on purpose instead of by incompetent accident I'd make a perfect one for you." Being held continues to feel just, unrealistically amazing. Casper's legs are bony and his chest is cool but Shang Beida is still the warmest and most comfortable he's ever been.