[he lifts his chin stubbornly against the fear, glaring defiance at the dogs, hand steady on Bichen despite his thudding heart. I will protect you, he thinks, as fierce and earnest as he's ever been about anything. he is not sure if he's directing the sentiment at Wei Wuxian above him in the tree, or the echo of a frightened child in the back of his mind.

he unsheathes Bichen and takes a step forward towards the dogs, eyes still blazing]