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Shen Qingqiu had long since gotten used to Binghe clinging to him all the time. He was there when he woke up, throughout all of his day and even during his dreams as he slept. His husband was there so often that he didn’t even notice how used to it he had gotten, his presence was just something that was engrained in his life.
It was something he didn’t really notice until he came into the Huan Hua palace.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t mind it at first, Luo Binghe needed new friends, and it was great that he found himself getting along so well with him. Now that he was socializing, Shen Qingqiu might’ve even felt a bit proud of his disciple.
Binghe had brought in an addition to the palace, and immediately the boy had seemed to grow some kind of obsession over him. He trailed behind Binghe everywhere, talking and chatting randomly with him. At first, even the other demons and servants found it a bit strange, since Binghe wasn’t a person who looked very . . . approachable.
It was all fine at first, until it’s started directly affecting Shen Qingqiu.
Gradually, Qingqiu noticed how annoyed he was getting whenever he was brought up. Every time he wanted to call for his husband, the little demon was stuck to him like a leech, hand firmly pressed on Binghe’s bicep. Whenever he wanted alone time, he would find some excuse to make Binghe go with him instead, and Binghe would excuse himself with a small “Sorry, Shizun!”
Shen Qingqiu frowned once again today, eyebrows already ticking in irritation as he saw the thin framed demon walking quietly next to his husband. They both seemed to be discussing something, with Binghe doing most of the talking, as the boy batted his long, dark eyelashes up at him.
With his big watery eyes, tall nose and pink lips, how could Shen Qingqiu not be jealous?
That was his husband right there! Why was he looking at a married man in such an indecent way?
And why were his hands suddenly traveling up Binghe’s arms, once again resting at his biceps, his chest, his back and squeezing a little?
Binghe didn’t seem to notice, but Shen Qingqiu had definitely caught all of it.
He strode quickly to where the both were discussing, steps long and robe trailing behind him in the wind. Since Shen Qingqiu was a tall, broad man, he was immediately noticed by Luo Binghe, who immediately smiled widely at him. “Shizun!”
Unfortunately he was also noticed by said leech at Binghe’s side.
Before the little demon even had a chance of stepping closer to Binghe’s side, Shen Qingqiu was there, already plastering his body on Binghe’s own. He locked his arm through Binghe’s, completely blocking the way for the boy.
Binghe opened his mouth then closed it again. His eyes were trained on Shen Qinqiu’s face, confused as of why his husband had decided to show public affection like this so suddenly.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingqiu glared down at the boy, frowning in annoyance when he only pursed his lips and batted his eyes up at him.
“Husband,” Shen Qingqiu called out, using the name he rarely used for Binghe. He was usually embarrassed to say it out loud but right now he needed to make a statement. “Can I borrow you away for a moment?”
The whole time his cold glare didn’t leave the boy’s face, still drilling holes into his forehead. He wasn’t sure why but he felt a strange feeling in his gut, something twisted and unpleasant whenever he saw Binghe with this guy.
Luo Binghe smiled widely, feeling happy that his Shizun had used that name with him. “Sure, Shizun. Xuan Ye, I’ll get back to you later!”
Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu began walking back to their shared room. He couldnt help the small smirk on his face when he glanced back, noticing the gaping Xuan Ye staring behind.
Once the both of them had reached their room, Shen Qingqiu was still stubbornly stuck to Binghe’s side, his hands wrapped around Binghe’s arm. He felt as if he wanted to keep him close, not wanting Binghe to be far from him yet.
He didn’t know why he was being so clingy, and it really bothered him. Frowning, he huffed out in annoyance and scolded himself for being so rash. There really was no reason to bring Luo Binghe over, he just wanted to not see that Xuan Ye guy’s face.
Binghe immediately noticed the way his Shizun was frowning, huffing out and pouting his lips in the way he did when he was mad or annoyed. Thinking he did something to upset him, Binghe took a step back to apologize for whatever it was.
Except, he wasn’t even able to take a full step back before Shen Qingqiu tugged him back and grabbed his face with both hands, pulling him down to kiss him.
The sudden kiss was surprising, but Binghe responded excitedly, kissing his husband back. Whatever it was that had bothered his Shizun seemed to not be his fault then, if he was willing to be so affectionate.
However, even if Binghe was glad, Shen Qinqgiu knew he would ask him the reason behind his sudden clinginess.
Shen Qingqiu took his lips one last time, giving them a wet kiss before pulling away to rest his forehead on Binghe’s. With his arms raised, he wrapped them around Binghe’s neck and absentmindedly played with his curly hair.
“Shizun?” Binghe whispered, placing his hands on Shen Qingqiu’s waist.
“What is it, Binghe?” he tried to sound nonchalant, quickly slotting his lips to Binghe’s right after to press another kiss.
”Mm, what’s the matter with Shizun? What did you want to talk about?” Hands traveled up from Shen Qingqiu’s waist to his shoulders, kneading at his back to ease the tension. The feeling of fingers massaging his muscles made Shen Qingqiu fall forward a bit, until his entire body was pressed against his husband’s, and his head was perched on Binghe’s shoulder.
This way, Binghe wouldn’t see the way he frowned, looking irritated. In his memory he remembered seeing Xuan Ye touching all over Binghe’s shoulders.
“Nothing is the matter, can’t I just have some alone time with my husband?” He didn’t notice the way he emphasized the word “my”, but Binghe did. He also noticed how Shen Qingqiu has tucked his face away, hiding his red face.
Binghe chuckled. “Of course you can, Shizun is allowed anything. It’s just that. . . you’ve been acting weird for a while. Actually, Xuan Ye even sa-,”
Shen Qingqiu frowned deeper at the sound of that brat’s name. “Xuan Ye, Xuan Ye, what about him?”
Binghe felt extremely confused. “Shizun??”
With his head still tucked in Binghe’s shoulder, Shen Qingqiu huffed in annoyance. “Why did you suddenly mention Xuan Ye? Weren’t we talking about us?”
He tried his best to sound neutral, he really did, but when he said the words “Xuan Ye” a bit of a harsh tone took over his voice.
Naturally, Binghe noticed this.
“Yes of course, Shizun. I wanted tell you something about him later though, for now-,”
”Why do we have to talk about him?” Shen Qingqiu frowned, that weird feeling in his chest getting stronger. He felt it crawling up his throat. “Do you like Xuan Ye better than this Master now?”
He didn’t notice the way his grip on Binghe has gotten stronger, or the way his words were dripping with poison.
Binghe went silent, stopping his massaging on his husband’s back. Quietly, he gripped Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders to push him back a little. Now that his face was visible, Binghe took his face in both his hands, cupping it.
”Shizun,” Binghe whispered, a fascinated tone to his voice. “Is Shizun... drinking vinegar?”
Shen Qingqiu’s phoenix eyes flew open, pink dusting over his cheeks.
Jealous?? Was he jealous? Wasn’t Binghe usually the one crying over whoever Shen Qingqiu showed attention to?
How was it suddenly him?
”M-me? Drinking vinegar?” Shen Qingqiu looked down, not wanting to meet Binghe’s gaze. “Of course not! I just don’t understand why we have to talk about him!”
”Shizun-,”
”Or why did he have to come again? I didn’t think Huan Hua Palace needed another demon...,”
”Shizun,”
”And why does he always cling to you? Touching you all over, grabbing you everywhere, doesn’t he have someone else to play with? Doesn’t he know you’re a married man?”
”Shizun!” Binghe called out, finally able to get his shizun to look at him.
He rubbed his thumb over Shen Qingqiu’s cheekbone gently, effectively calming him down. Leaning down to his face, Binghe pressed many little kisses all over his face. Two soft ones on both his eyelids, his forehead, his cheeks, and finally landing on his lips.
“This disciple could never love someone more than Shizun,” he pressed another fluttering kiss to his mouth. “This disciple only thought of Shizun while he was talking to others, nobody else.”
Thoroughly embarrassed, Shen Qingqiu averted his gaze again, feeling ridiculous.
“Shizun, you really... felt jealous over me? You actually did?”
Binghe’s voice sounded incredulous, as if he couldn’t believe someone would be jealous over him.
As embarrassed as Shen Qingqiu was, what kind of shit husband would he be if he made his own husband not feel worthy? He swallowed his own pride, then finally looked up at Binghe’s watery eyes.
“...Of course I was! You’re my husband aren’t you? Anybody would be drinking vinegar if they saw someone all over their spouse!”
Binghe smiled widely, his eyes shimmering. The water works were coming...
“Shizun!” Binghe threw his arms over Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders, fat tears dropping on his neck. “You’re the best husband! I cant believe you really..”
”There, there...” Shen Qingqiu patted Binghe’s back, rubbing his hand up and down in comforting motions.
How was it suddenly him comforting Binghe when about a minute ago it was the other way around?
“Binghe, don’t cry. I’m not jealous now that you’ve reassured me, I was being ridiculous. Let’s not mention it again,” Shen Qingqiu said, leaning in to Binghe’s touch on his waist.
“How could you be ridiculous? This was my fault, I should’ve set some more boundaries between him and me,” Binghe wrapped a strong arm around his body, pulling him flush against him.
“Mm,” Shen Qingqiu hummed, closing his eyes and resting his head on Binghe’s shoulder. Then really quietly, he whispered out, “he would squeeze you here.”
Shen Qingqiu reached a hand inside Binghe’s robes, pulling them down to expose Binghe’s toned biceps. He grabbed them with his hand, digging his fingers in slightly to emphasize where Xuan Ye had touched him.
“Shizun...,” Luo Binghe started.
”This is mine.”
Binghe’s heart stopped when his husband said that. The sudden possessive words lightened up a flame inside Binghe, wanting to hear more. He let Shen Qinqgiu grab him all over, letting his lips travel to his biceps and press sloppy kisses on the skin.
”All yours, Shizun,” Binghe nodded, content at Shen Qingqiu who was kissing his chest and claiming Xuan Ye was trying to grope his ‘breasts.’
After he was satisfied, he looked back up to press one last, searing kiss at Binghe’s lips before parting to simply look at Binghe in the eyes. Now that he was content, he let his arms fall to hang at his sides, just taking his husband’s hands and interlocking fingers with him.
“Binghe..”
”Yes, Shizun.”
”What is is that you wanted to tell me...?” Shen Qingqiu whispered, a little in embarrassment at his past outburst.
Luo Binghe didn’t get it. He frowned, scrunching up his nose in an adorable way that made Shen Qingqiu want to scratch under his chin. “Tell Shizun what??”
Shen Qingqiu looked down, lips pursed in thought. “About Xuan Ye... you wanted to say something about Xuan Ye..”
At that, a look of realization overtook his husband’s features. “Ah yes! Shizun, this disciple was actually going to inform you that Xuan Ye is leaving Huan Hua Palace soon. He found his family that he’s been searching for, he just needed a place to stay, and since demons aren’t very accepted I brought him here.”
Shen Qingqiu blinked once. Then twice.
So this whole time while he was being jealous, Luo Binghe was helping him find his family and had sheltered him?
No wonder he was so sticky!
Nonetheless, he still felt a bit relieved when he heard he was leaving. Even if Binghe saved him, he had no business touching up his husband like that. Shen Qinqgiu smiled subconsciously, a more calm look in his eyes.
“Ahh.. then... if that’s the case then, good riddance to him.”
”Shizun!”