He does visibly relax the moment Phoenix lets go, letting out a small, robotic noise of gratefulness. He pulls himself together, before replying.

"Other than for Shido to explode on the spot in every single universe?" he says, only a little sardonically, "... I don't know, really."

"That is a lie and--"

He knows it, Hereward, yeah, yeah, but many of the things he wants are impossible. No point bringing down the mood to voice them.