That is partly the moonlacing and partly, yes, touch starved. But Xichen doesn't mind at all - he doesn't try to answer, or explain it would take a long time, at least in a reasonable scale, for him to get tired, instead taking the immortal to the couch - he does set him down, on the cushions, rather than his lap, but he might not reject it if Shuangyu chooses to do it anyway, after Xichen sits down, pulling him close.

"A kinder, brighter existence..."

Xichen considers whether this place has been like this. To him, somewhat. To others... like his brother, even, not quite.

"That is always a good thing to wish for, or work towards." He lowers his eyes, just for a moment, still saddened. "Does Heaven not leave its immortals free of strife and shadow?"