"Jingyi," he says gently "you should always communicate during sex."

It might be embarrassing, but it was much better than the alternative. Yuan has learned to pick up the cues and figure out what people like based on their reactions, but Jingyi doesn't have to do that, not with someone he loves. It's healthier to be able to talk, he thinks.

Then suddenly Jingyi is hugging him and he isn't quite sure how to handle that but he hugs him back, patting him on the shoulder softly as his expression softens from surprise into a gentle smile. There's something so strange and wholesome about physical affection from somebody who definitely does not want to have sex with him, it's something he's been lacking in his life.

"Sw-sworn brothers?" he repeats, blinking "You'd want- I mean I- I'm not even- Really?"

Yuan is actually blushing.