“He does!” Lan Sizhui's hoping he doesn't sound defensive despite his momentarily higher-pitched voice and regardless of the fact that he somewhat does feel it for Dennis's sake, though he softens shortly thereafter, hands curling into fists against his knees. “And I'm not trying to ignore my own happiness for his. Genuinely, I want to be his friend, I'm fine with that.”

Because he'd much rather be Dennis's friend than nothing at all.

For the most part, it's what Sizhui wants too. “The same thing other Lans want, I'm sure, but...” he trails off, contemplatively biting his cheek, faintly shrugging his shoulders. “I wouldn't be against something else if it's what my partner wanted?”