There's a quiet choked sound when their lips touch before Xichen's just kissing him back, or trying to, if awkwardly, his hands catching at Mingjue's arms, fingers digging into them as he holds on like Mingjue's going to vanish if he lets go. And that's honestly the final straw, tears starting to leak from his eyes.

And one hand moves comes up to tangle in Mingjue's hair as he fights to keep his breathing normal. "I'm sorry..." It's a quiet whisper, his voice shaking a little.

"..But don't stop. Please..."