With a sharp curse, he tries to catch Xichen as he drops—or at least ease his descent. He follows him down, too, falling to his knees as worry flares through him, trying to curl his arms around Xichen as if that might help. He's never seen this from him, has no idea what's going on, and the pain in Xichen's barely-voiced words is heart-rending.

"I'm here the same way as everyone else, I expect? Washed up ashore." He searches Xichen's eyes, not sure about the question, but offering best answer he can come up for the moment. Serious, concerned, he says, "I wasn't thinking it was a dream before this, but now you have me worried."