Being picked up is super weird. He grabs onto Yondu's nearest shoulder with both bony, scarred little hands, grip a lot tighter than one might expect from such a tiny kid.

Because what little meat is on him -- and it is very little -- is all muscle.

Even if the rest of him is all sharp, protruding bones. This kid's literally never been full in his life.

"Th...there was one guy who knew my name, and where I'm from, and he kept... lying about things."

Which was super creepy, from Houmei's point of view. As an adult, he'll feel terrible for his dearest Devero, that he was treated with such suspicion by any version of himself. But as little Houmei, all he knows is the guy knows too much and is too prone to lying about it, and he doesn't know why.

"And I think there may be a... a Sanzo around here somewhere? I-I need to avoid that person. Th...they're too important to have someone like me around. I'll just mess it up."

He says all this as Yondu carries him upstairs and around looking for the place he has in mind. When they arrive there, the young boy nods.

"S...sure. I like plants."

They don't care if he's a fuck-up, it's fantastic. As long as he doesn't try to tend to any of them and end up killing them.