The mention of Mingjue makes him freeze and makes him doubt. Is Mingjue truly friends with the man had killed so many of their sect in a quest for power? How? His throat wells up tight as he's pinned into place, as hope is stripped further away from him. Mingjue couldn't... this isn't home. This would never be home.

He pulls at his wrists but they're settled firmly to the wall as his neck and there's not much he can do to resist. He's more physically vulnerable than Xichen has ever had him.

"No. Please don't do this," he can't help but beg once more and he promises himself it will be the last time he begs.