Mingyu's expression didn't change at the mention of Wugui. He didn't smile, didn't breathe, didn't blink. He stared at Fox a second, at the plant he'd produced, then swallowed and moved right along.

"I expect to be found attractive," Mingyu answered, shrugging, no particular emotion connected to the thought. It wasn't a good or bad thing, it simply was.

Though, sometimes, it could be a lonely thing.

"I know you're no exception. But you're also the most genuinely idealistic, at times even naive person I've ever met. There is nothing someone like you should like about me."

In fact, Mingyu had been wondering. If Fox was just a little younger, had come before they first met. If they'd even talk, if he'd even want to be friends, if he'd have made any kind of exception at all.

"Perhaps you're just having trouble letting go of what we almost had."