In a manner that is notably reminiscent of someone else in Magnus' life with a serious demeanor and a flat affect, Lan Wangji listens, and then he is quiet as he absorbs what Magnus has said. He rubs his thumb against Magnus' shoulder, deliberate the way every gesture he makes or touch he initiates is deliberate. He thinks of the day that Magnus confronted him outside, and how it seemed to help when he addressed every point, one by one, to the best of his abilities. He will try to do that now, although he is tired and he has already spilled what feels like too many words in the service of translating for Shen Yuan. For Magnus, he always wants to try.

"Sunny is the best," he says, in grave agreement. "It is impossible to do nothing wrong. I will be proud of you regardless. I did not intend to keep Galahad from you with our training. It is also impossible to prepare for every threat. I told you that I would fight for you. I can't protect you against every threat, but that is still true." Another, shorter, pause, as he considers everything that is left. "I suspected you would be unhappy that Apollo is here. It is not all on you to get Shen Yuan back. That plant has grown without you before, in Bai Lu Forest where Shen Yuan harvested its seeds. It could do so again."

He squeezes Magnus' shoulder again, gathering some resolve. "It is a lot. I know."