[ Xunxian's eyes soften all the more, understanding clear in them, and he hums, leaning in to press their foreheads together. ]

I truly... meant to keep an eye on how things are and not let you do things that could not be undone while you were not quite you. And that is why I made sure to come back.

Neither of us can promise it won't happen again, to either of us. Not here. But we can do our best with what we have.

[ ... and Xunxian was lucky the mermaids thought the whale more appetizing than himself, but there are things outside his control and all he can do is try. ]