Listening to Zichen work in the kitchen, despite him not always talking, gives Xingchen comfort. There's something about just being in his presence again, doing mundane tasks like cooking, that calms him. He still feels a little unsure, like if he presses too hard on any one topic of conversation or old wound they've weathered together, this will all fall apart again. It's tentative, but promising.

When Zichen does speak, he listens. Oh, how he's missed his friend's voice. Zichen could talk about his laundry regimen for hours right now and Xingchen thinks he'd hang on every word. Even now he does, though there is the added bonus of hearing things that do make him feel a little better. Not because Zichen undoubtedly suffered in all that time he searched for Xingchen, but because it means that he's not still angry with him.

It wasn't your fault.

He would still be justified in blaming him, Xingchen thinks. Yes, he had acted with justice when he turned Xue Yang in, but had he not also brought him and Zichen to the forefront of that awful boy's mind? Had he not painted a target on their backs? Xue Yang isn't justified in his baseless attacks, of course, and for what he did to Zichen, Xingchen doubts he'd ever be able to forgive him, but he can connect the dots. Xingchen himself is at the center of that picture.

But those are thoughts for another day. For now, Zichen is more important. "Don't berate yourself for my sake. As far as I am concerned, all is forgiven between us." He would always take Zichen back, whether it it be two days after they parted or two lifetimes.

Once the food is served and the fork is placed in his hand, Xingchen smiles gently and shakes his head. "You've already done so much. I can handle it from here." And then, a little quieter, "Thank you."