"If you ask to stop, we will stop. It doesn't matter when."

He has no interest in being played for a fool in this, or having it later insinuated he did something that was unwanted; he can't go back to hating himself or a second seclusion, it would simply exacerbate his will to be here at all. So, he protects himself by being very clear, raising his head to lock eyes.

"Don't pretend during any part of this, a-Yao."

And then, taking a breath as he feels the other man rock in, he kisses him softly the way he once wanted to each time he would see sunshine-yellow robes fluttering by, tilting his chin with a gentle touch to guide him. The way Xichen licks into his mouth this time is sensual but insistent, letting a low moan pour into it as he teaches him how to kiss and breathe at the same time.