[ Everything Xichen says just makes him worry more. Especially the question. Why would he mind?

There's an answer, a guess at least, right on his periphery. Mingjue refuses to reach out and grab it.

Instead, he reaches over in a way that's not usual for him, his hands falling just above his friend's elbows. ]

Xichen... Of course not, get a hold of yourself. I would never blame for something such as this. We have always-... [ Been brothers...? He tries again, firm and sure. ] We have always been family.