He may not have lived through what they had - would - endure together, but his love for Mingjue is strong. It occurred to him, in the midst of their discussion, that he might not be able to get back what he had. Still, he has to try.

He doesn't know any other way to be.

"Are you hungry? I can make you breakfast." Meng Yao shows no sign of wishing to go back to sleep. Not without a warm body to curl up next to anyway.