[ Similarly, Lan Xichen keeps himself angled just a little bit in front of Meng Yao, putting himself between him and any danger that may come as they moved towards the forest. He doesn't quite clutch the hilt of Shuoyue, but the hand that he would normally keep at the small of his back is much closer to where it rests on his hip.

Though of course, if he knew of Meng Yao's willingness to use himself as a human shield to protect another, he would - well. It speaks very highly of him, that he is willing to sacrifice himself to protect another, at the same time as he would fear it came from a place of not viewing himself as worthy as the one he saved.

But they reach the cave undisturbed, and although Lan Xichen knows that the Wen are still out there looking for him - for a moment, he allows himself to breath a sigh of relief at something like a place of safety.

In retrospect, he should have been expecting that - and perhaps he was, somewhat, because he reaction on instinct to catch Meng Yao's arms. ]

How could protecting my life be any disrespect? You must know who I am hiding from. [ His touch lingers, as it had the last times they'd come into contact, and allows himself to not pull away just yet. ] There's no need for that between us, most especially not now.