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Liu Qingge slipped quietly into Shen Qingqiu’s bamboo house. He’d honestly want to kick the door down just out of habit and to wake up the sleeping resident but after being chided repeatedly by his shixiong he opted not to do it. He’d rather not get into Shen Qingqiu’s bad page. At least not today.
Ever since Liu Qingge found out his secret due to a truth pollen mishap during one of their hunting trips, Shen Qingqiu… or rather Shen Yuan had allowed him far, way too many liberties. Maybe a little bit too much.
Liu Qingge could still vividly remember that day as if it was just yesterday. Shen Yuan had avoided him like a plague. Liu Qingge would not deny that he took advantage of him during that time, there was just a huge stark contrast between the Shen Qingqiu that he knew and Shen Yuan. He did feel guilty about it but he was never a perfect man. He wanted answers because he never believed that a memory loss could easily change a person's core.
Weeks after that incident, after being avoided for so long, he received a formal invitation from Shen Qingqiu, he was waiting for him at the front door when he arrived.
Liu Qingge was not that dumb to not realize at that moment, to Shen Yuan it wasn’t simply inviting him into his home like usual, it was much more significant than simply accepting him into his sace, but something more private, something he had hidden, tucked away for so long. It was a huge step for him.
Shen Yuan was stiff and scared, a vulnerability that was contrasting to the confident and aloof character that he portrays, the role that he forcefully plays every single day. It was clear by how haggard he looked that Shen Yuan had been scared shitless the past few weeks, afraid that Liu Qingge would tell everyone.
Still, he was brave to have spoken to him of the truth, to break to him that the real Shen Qingqiu died in that fever and he had somehow woke up in his body after Shen Yuan himself died. Liu Qingge knew that there were more things that he was hiding but he would only take what Shen Yuan would give. He swore to never take advantage of him ever again.
Liu Qingge himself, despite surviving through many gruesome and life threatening battles, felt afraid in that moment. As if one wrong move, Shen Yuan would suddenly bolt away and never come back. He didn’t want to lose him. He knew how cruel and selfish for those that Shen Qingqiu had left behind, but he wanted Shen Yuan, the one whom he shared weals and woes with, not Shen Qingqiu.
It doesn’t matter if heavens punish him for this. He would protect Shen Yuan at all cost.
As careful as possible, Liu Qingge entered his bedroom, lifting up the curtain covering his bed. Shen Yuan was wrapped in layers upon layers of blanket; his hand the only visible sign that he was somewhere there underneath all the covers.
Extracting Shen Yuan gently from the tangle of blankets took a great deal of patience and effort. How the man underneath all of these covers was still breathing remains as a mystery to Liu Qingge. Nonetheless, his efforts were rewarded when he was greeted with the sight of Shen Yuan sleeping soundly.
Liu Qingge flushed at the sight, there was nothing erotic about Shen Yuan’s messy sleeping posture, but he won’t deny that it was so adorable that it made his heart clenched on how Shen Yuan was curled up, shivering from the cold air now that all his blankets were pulled away from him. It was tempting to climb in the bed and lay next to him, to wrap his arms around his delicate frame to shield him from the morning’s cold.
“Shen-shixiong, wake up.” Liu Qingge nudged him awake.
“One more hour.” Shen Yuan mumbled sleepily, turning his back to the one disturbing his rest.
Liu Qingge let out a choked sound, unable to decide if he was going to stifle a laugh on how adorable he was or if he should be flabbergasted on how the time he asked had increased again from the last time. It started with five minutes then ten and then so on. Then, he noticed a tremble in Shen Yuan’s shoulder, and it’s not a way of shuddering from the cold.
“You were already awake!” Liu Qingge blushed until the tips of his ear were red, he was completely flustered.
Shen Yuan turned over to face him again, looking up at him with a sleepy smile. “Good morning Liu-shidi.” he said with a scratchy voice and chuckled “You weren’t exactly the sneakiest when you pulled off my blankets.”
Liu Qingge huffed in annoyance, his arms were crossed against his chest, looking anywhere but Shen Yuan. “ If you’re awake already then get up. Wasn’t it you who wanted to learn the way of the swords.”
Shen Yuan laughed softly, despite the scowl on Liu Qingge’s face he couldn't hide his ears that were now beet red from embarrassment. In a spur of mischievousness, Shen Yuan pulled Liu Qingge in the bed. The sudden yank made the Bai Zan Peak Lord fall face first in the bed, next to Shen Yuan. And that was indeed what it took for Liu Qingge to be rilled up.
“You-” he said with greeted teeth.
They wrestled playfully, Liu Qingge trying to get them both out of the bed while Shen Qingqiu prevented them from leaving the comfortable cushion.
Despite his uncontrollable giggles, Shen Yuan managed to get the upper hand, forcing Liu Qingge onto his back. He gripped the male’s arms and pinned them against the pillows.
“You can’t make me leave my bed this early.” Shen Yuan exclaimed, smiling triumphantly at overpowering the famous war god.
At any point Liu Qingge could’ve broken free of his shixiong’s hold. He was clearly the stronger of the two, and if he wanted to, he could easily reverse their position with Shen Yuan pressed on his back and pinned firmly beneath him.
It would be a sight to watch him struggle to break free. Not that he’d easily let him go and he should stop thinking about that before his mind continued to wander somewhere dangerous. At least until he makes their vague friendship official.
But, at the moment, Liu Qingge was more than content where he was, looking up at Shen Yuan gentle and beautiful face, flustered and full of excitement. He’d really want moments like this to last longer, forever if it could.
“What’s wrong shidi?” Shen Yuan asked, frowning down at Liu Qingge who was looking up at him in daze.
“This shidi has a favor to ask his shixiong.”
“As long as it’s within this master’s capabilities then he would grant shidi’s request.”
Liu Qingge smiled a slow deliberate smile. “Will you be my cultivation partner, Shen Yuan?”
Shen Yuan stiffened as he blushed crimson, looking at him with wide eyes in disbelief yet showing no signs of rejection, he released his hold on Liu Qingge’s arms. “I’m a man you know.” he said shyly.
“A detail easily overcome.” Liu Qingge mutters, cupping Shen Yuan’s cheek as he looks at him gently. “I want you.”
Those words overwhelmed Shen Yuan and turned him into a sputtering mess.
Proud Immortal Demon Way had a fluid concept regarding sexuality and relationships. Since cultivation is an arduous journey there are less female cultivators compared to men and more often than not men would choose another man to accompany them in their journey to ascension. Not really surprising for two men to be cultivation partners. But if you were to ask Shen Yuan, it’s because all of the sisters were for the protagonist, Luo Binghe to have so… yeah. Men should stay away from his future wives.
But that’s not the problem.
Liu fucking Qingge had just proposed to him in such a Xianxia way. His brain could not keep up.
“I-” Before Shen Yuan could say his answer there was a soft gasp from the door followed by the loud clattering of utensils crashing down. The two peak lords looked up and saw Luo Binghe standing there, dumbfounded.
“I… This-” He sputters. “This disciple apologize for disturbing Shizun and Liu-shishu.” he said before he ran off.
“Oh dear,” Shen Yuan mumbled, a little bit embarrassed that they were caught in a compromising situation. Shen Yuan is still in his inner robes while Liu Qingge looked completely disheveled from their earlier wrestle. It was easy to guess what conclusion that child came to.
When Shen Yuan tried to crawl off the bed, Liu Qingge grabbed his arms and pulled him back to the mattress. “You still haven’t answered my question Shen Yuan.”
All thoughts of explaining to Luo Binghe evaporated as Liu Qingge pinned him down on his back, showing no signs that he’d let him escape anytime soon.
Shen Yuan chuckled, overjoyed and flattered that this man before him was so forward and persistent when it comes to his affection, and Shen Yuan was the target of his love.
He wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him down, giving him a quick peck on his soft lips. “If Qingge would have me, it’ll be my honor.”
That had instantly K.O.ed the war god. His body had turned stone stiff and his skin red as a ripe tomato ready for picking. Shen Yuan can’t help but laugh at his reaction. Liu Qingge was really cute.
“Now that we’ve established that, would Liu-shidi be willing to spend more time with his partner.” Shen Yuan removed the displaced crown that was barely holding Liu Qingge’s messy hair then tapped at the space next to him. Liu Qingge nodded with a huge smile on his face and laid next to Shen Yuan, spooning him as they fell back to sleep.
They slept in until late noon and they only woke up when Yue Qingyuan came over, wondering why Shen Qingqiu was running late for the peak lords meeting. Both of them were a blushing mess as they followed behind the sect leader towards Qiong Ding Peak.
They probably both look ridiculous, there was some bedhair that was sticking out due to them rushing to get ready when Yue Qingyuan came unannounced. There were probably rumors as well but the two of them would not explain themselves nor would they bother to correct it.
Shen Yuan just laughed and shrugged off their ridiculous state, blushing and smiling giddily as Liu Qingge held his hand as they walked side by side.