[ Xichen listens, attentively, his arms tightening a fraction where he is holding the other man, and he nods slowly in the end, his mouth a little sad, but his eyes mostly just soft. ]

I thought... it might be something like that. And that when it happens, it might help, if only a little bit, to have something solid and specific to hold on to.

[ They both know that Xichen will choose others, one way or another, sooner or later. They both know that Wangji would come first, and sometimes others, too. Sometimes, Xichen will need to choose others in order to stop Meng Yao from falling back to actions that have been honed, as he is aware himself, over years and years. ]

I do know that you are trying. And I do know that it is difficult, and lonely. So you should also know that, unless I am taken away - even if my actions do not align with your hopes or wants, I will not abandon you. And I will do my best to make sure your needs are not unanswered.

[ One hand comes up to cup the side of Meng Yao's face, long fingers with calluses from the qin, over delicate skin. ]

It may not be what it was, this thing between us. But what it was - far too much of it was an illusion. What is between us isn't emptiness, and while there are sharp shards that slice sometimes, it is not all bad, either. I would... rather we build it up, slowly, with truths and catching each other when we stumble, and see what it becomes, than attempting to recreate the past.

Is that... agreeable?