There's so much judgement in their society. Even Xue Yang has heard it. Witnessed it. But it hadn't changed his heart, when he'd finally felt his heart shatter when the one who'd claimed it died. Too late. Far too late to do anything.

And now...he has a chance. He'll take it with both hands, hold on to it as long as he can. As tight as he can manage. Protect this precious light to his last breath, no matter how much it ends up hurting.

Xue Yang stands close enough then that slipping an arm loosely around Xingchen's waist just feels natural. And listening to that sweet, soft voice tell him that he makes Xingchen happy makes anything less impossible. He leans his forehead against the other man's, hand still light on perfect cheek, fingertips a gentle caress despite the slight roughness of a hand used to hard work.

"I'm not going anywhere. And I don't break my word."