Guangyao stares for a moment, his mind split between two ideas, two responses. Where, indeed, should he put his hands? His eyelashes flutter as he looks down at Xichen's hands, eyeing the a lost slender length of them that belies the strength he wields. He lets out a shuddery little breath and then clears his throat to cover it.

What the hell was wrong with him? A few weeks alone and he was ready to crawl into Xichen's lap and beg for a pet like he was Jin Ling's puppy? He curls his fingers tightly into themselves before he reaches for his charcoal.

"Just..."

He trails off and goes quiet, mind a whirl before he puts the paper down. He reaches for a new paper instead, standing and walking over. He takes a seat directly in front of Xichen, expression determined.

"I think, actually...It'd be better for me to get some practice on it." He reaches out to take Xichen's hand, resting it on Guangyao's leg--just so he can see it better, of course!--and picks up the charcoal again. "I should make a few sketches." But his body is tense, not looking up, too concerned about what he might see there or if Xichen would rather toss him away for daring to be this close now.

He didn't think Xichen actually would, but truthfully he felt like he didn't quite know what to expect anymore from him.