There's a part of him that feels immediately guilty as he watches Xichen tense, watches the emotion settle on his features, but he can't feel more than that. He's too tired, too filled with guilt, pained - because his throat is being ripped to shreds and he has neither the confidence nor the courage to do anything about it.

"No, I... I apologise." He turns his head, gazing outwards at the children. He wishes he could just pick a-Ling up and take him home, wishes he could do something to make all of this go away, but he can't. He just wants to make it better.

So he breathes out, trying not to cough.

"I understand. And I appreciate your concern. I simply... Cannot." He wipes his face absently.