"I am more than happy to be the encouragement you need. We will get nothing accomplished if we're exhausted." Then they'd waste even more time sleeping. God forbid.

Xander leaned into him in turn, and if their hands weren't interlocked, he'd be tempted to wrap his arm around him. The slight bumpiness and the abundance of shade and foliage outside the window suggested they had made it into the more verdant path outside of town.

"That was bold of you." He said, his tone suggesting a genuine awe. "Many would not dare to impersonate a noble back home — and fewer would live if they were caught doing so." He almost made a joke about taking his last name. Too soon for that, even in jest. "Tell me about Jayce."