He narrowed his eyes at the offered boots, but finally relinquished his prize back to Wei Ying to take his own boots back.

He pulled them on, the movement still smooth mostly out of muscle memory, and then he stood up. He waited patiently until Wei Ying was done, and then took hold of his wrist again to drag him towards the door.

It wasn't nine yet. They had a few hours. And Wei Ying was healed better than before. So he had to prove to Wei Ying that he wasn't going anywhere. That he was here, now, for better or worse, and would take what came.

He would share every consequence.

So he needed chickens.