A part of Xue Yang that even he hadn't known existed. Had been afraid to let it be seen, even when he realized it might exist. Xingchen had been the first to encourage it, to coax it to life. But then Zichen had appeared in Gazin. And they'd had to learn to live together, then it had become easier as Zichen taught Xue Yang, and Xue Yang had blossomed.

It had been simple after that to only encourage Zichen, to show him that touch doesn't have to be painful. That intimacy is a beautiful thing. He hasn't looked back since.

He laughs at the chuckle and tilts his head up for those kisses, letting the memory of pain wash away with the grime of riding and battle.

"Pain can't touch me when my A-Lan is here~"