"Xichen," Mingjue says, so far beyond fond that he feels like he's wearing his heart on the outside of his chest for Xichen to see. "What burden?"

He takes the ribbon and winds it around his wrist and offers the wrist to Xichen to tie for him.

"The only reason for me not to accept it would be not to burden you." And if he says that with dry amusement, well...he's only human. He simply says, "Situation's changed. I want it."