"Little brothers come first," Mingjue tells him firmly, closing the subject. "I have no doubt you did your best. So don't think on it."

He strokes down Xichen's back again, contemplative. "Because I am here. For no good reason, I'm sure." That's more of an existential question than he wants to tackle, though, so he adds, "I guess I will have to make sure you're not left alone."