For all of his mischief, Wei Ying was never cruel. He had pushed him away too many times to count, too involved in protecting Wens or seeking revenge to see that Lan Zhan was usually only a step or two behind. And always, always supporting him.

Or at least protecting him as best he could.

This isn't the time for jokes and he scowls at the act, grabbing the demon lord's arm.

"Stop it." he won't allow himself to consider that possibility. It isn't what happened. It isn't.

"He is too strong for a bog creature." his grip loosens and he rubs over the marks his nails had made idly, "He wouldn't be smiling either. He was miserable...for a long time."