Each time Xingchen had vanished had been hard. Only Zichen's steady presence had kept Xue Yang from returning to his brutal ways out of pain and despair. He's stronger on his own now, stronger in being a somewhat decent person.

But he knows himself. Without even one of his daozhangs, he'd be utterly lost.

"Mm," he hums in agreement, eyes slipping closed as Zichen works on his hair. He leans against him, needing his husband's solidity to bolster him. He knows he'll be spending a few days in bed, but he doesn't mind all that much - Zichen is so sweet and cute when he fusses over him! It always makes him feel warm.