[The thing Set says last is what rattles Liem the most: that the god not only wants to care for him, but believes he deserves it. He does not want to believe that Set would lie to him about this, and he knows that the god was once a protector deity—and still, he struggles to trust the sentiment entirely.

There is no good reason for it. He has cared for Set, as much as a mortal man can. He knows the god wants Liem to rely on him, just as Liem asked Set to rely on him in turn. Still, the prospect of admitting that he craves more than what he already gets from him makes his stomach churn and his skin crawl with nerves.]

All I wish for is to not be alone, [he murmurs. The words crawl grudgingly up his throat, a halting, uneasy confession.] Can I call upon you if I need someone at my side? Is that aid you want to give?