[ I'm not done yet..., is Shi Qingxuan's unspoken thought as Shino pulls his hair away, and he's left just holding a comb and looking down into Shino's eyes. Now that he's facing him, this feels even more serious - though, honestly, this has felt serious from the beginning, and the increased intensity is felt acutely. Still, Shi Qingxuan keeps his composure as he meets Shino's eyes.

When Shino explain... Shi Qingxuan isn't sure when he began thinking along that line of thought and isn't sure if they were on the same page during any point of this. Hadn't he said he'd love him in any form? He'll love him in any form, so what's being lost? It's not hurt of anger that he feels but confusion, and layered over that confusion is concern.

Setting the comb in his lap, Shi Qingxuan shifts to take Shino's face in his hands. ]

There's nothing being lost. I'm right here, and as long as I'm here, you haven't lost me.

[ He leans forward and presses his forehead to his. ]

I wouldn't care at all we never did that again. I like it, but it's not important. Even if you were a bold little cat that just hogs my pillow, I would still love you. I wouldn't go away over something so small.

[ If turning into a house pet is "something small", who knows what qualifies as "something big", and he won't ask Shino if the feeling is mutual. ]