[Is it any wonder that Blade can't stop staring at him when he's just. Showing skin like that. Goodness. He's very happy about the handholding, though, if the wagging tail wasn't an indication. He's smiling, too, though his eyes are cast downward almost as if he's shy.

He listens attentively, ears turned toward the dragon and his calming voice. This story is one that he's heard before. Blade doesn't remember if he was pressured. He can't see himself as anything but an engineer... Maybe he was lucky in that respect.]

You gave up your dream for them.

[A statement, not a question. He's quiet for a long moment, and then he squeezes Dan Heng's hand in turn.]

Why do I feel like... this isn't the first time you've done this...?

[He shakes his head. Then he tugs Dan Heng off the main sidewalk, and towards a park bench. Somewhere to stand out of the way. He takes Dan Heng's other hand in his, too, and faces him.]

Maybe someone else would tell you that your life does not belong to you alone, and that pursuing your own interests is somehow selfish. Not me. I think you've given up your life for other people from the beginning. Hundreds of times, for your people, for your duty, for the Luofu. How could someone like that be called selfish?

So, this time around...

[He smiles a little, though it's more like a smirk. He's confident in what he's saying.]

... You should be as 'selfish' as you want to be. It's your life. When this is all over, if you want to work in Congress, you should try. If you decide you want to keep traveling the world and see every part of the Spirit Realm, you should do that, too.

I'm willing to bet that no one's ever told you that you're allowed. So I'm telling you instead.

Do what makes you happy.