Huaisang didn't have the energy to object. He just wants to stop crying to stop feeling the old pain brand new again as if his closure has been undone. He shakes his head by the end of what Xichen says. His hand not already covered by Xichen's covers the older man's briefly.

"Please do not say sorry to me," he doesn't like to hear those words on the other's lips. "Not when I owe you countless apologies," he lets out another harsh breath the hand that had covered Xichen's briefly goes up to wipe at his face even if it's useless since he can't seem to stop shedding tears very long. How embarrassing.

"It's a silly sentiment anyway. I've always been lacking something to everyone I have loved."