One of Esen's hands curl into a fist on his thigh but it's out of frustration not anger and not an urge for violence -- although, violence would have been easier for him than... this.

Perhaps they understand each other better but he doesn't feel closer but he doesn't want to say that out loud.

"You are free, it was never my own choice for it to be otherwise." Had he not sought out a way to free Ouyang, to bring him up to a position of power in his own right?

"But that...: his unclenched hand waves toward the other's bruise. "That is a mark of possession. So you are simply not someone... I'm not..."

He growls quietly, again merely frustrated.

"I have never felt further from you than I have lately."