Zhuiying made a low noise of complaint, as sleeping was far from his mind despite the exhaustion that permeated to his very core. But it was hard to voice said complaint with Langfei pressed so close, forehead to forehead, still able to feel the head of his body just from proximity.

He reached out to find Langfei's hand, threading their fingers together and then gripping tightly.

"Yes," he murmured, his voice dropping low and breathy, near a whisper. "... I barely slept, without it. They had to play for me to sleep at all, for a year." He gripped a little tighter. "... I should have known you were alive. I should have believed it."