Tilting his head into Xichen's touch, Mingjue's expression softens. He can do 'existing' if that's all that Xichen requires of him, though he'll be damned if he doesn't do more for both of their sakes. He'll just have to follow his best judgement. His breath catches, however, when Xichen reaches for the ribbon.

"Xichen..." is all he can say, at a loss for words. His expression shivers through alarm and wonder and a deep rolling concern before it and Mingjue's emotions both settle on a breath-stealing awe. He doesn't ask if Xichen's sure, doesn't comment on their past or their future or anything else, just takes the ribbon from Xichen's palm to hold it between his two hands.

"How can you be selfish if you're giving me something so precious to you?" he asks, and even if it could have been a joke, he sounds both absolutely serious and more gruff than he'd been a moment ago. He clears his throat. "Of course I will."