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Chapter Text

June 20

Thinking about Luo Binghe admiring his work on Shen Jiu, following each bite and bruise with his fingers.

If he were awake, Shen Jiu would snap at him, but he's smothered himself into the pillows and hidden his sleeping face from view.

Luo Binghe gently smooths out Shen Jiu's hair, revealing his long, thin neck, scarcely touched. He lightly drags his thumb along Shen Jiu’s spine, as if he could memorize even the bones beneath.

And then he kisses it.

Because Shen Jiu doesn't allow it when he's conscious, because it's the one place Luo Binghe isn't allowed.

He kisses his neck and nothing more. He pulls the blankets up to Shen Jiu's chin, tucking him in, and slides under the covers to join him. Luo Binghe wraps an arm around his waist and nestles his forehead against Shen Jiu's shoulder, and he reminds himself of just how fortunate he is to live in this moment—how one misunderstanding could have pushed them both over the edge, how one wrong move could have ended the other's life.

There was luck in this moment. There was fate. There was courage.

Chapter Text

June 21

Shen Jiu threads his fingers through Luo Binghe's hair, freeing the tangles and the knots far more meticulously than even the demon lord had requested of him. His careful hands slide the expensive comb through the locks, from root to tip. One brush, two brushes.

The Demon King lays on his side, his back turned to Shen Jiu, but he's not sure the lord is asleep. For someone who wanted him dead, Luo Binghe is oddly comfortable with having his back to Shen Jiu, even demanding him to brush his hair until he falls asleep, even demanding to share his bed.

Shen Jiu despises the man who took everything away from him. He despises the man who imprisoned him and tortured him.

But he does not despise the one who makes Shen Jiu his whole world.

Luo Binghe thinks he is sly. Shen Jiu is better.

The moments they share in this room, they do not speak about. In this room, they are alone.

Shen Jiu raises the tips of Luo Binghe's hair as if to kiss it, but Luo Binghe stirs, an eye cracks open. Shen Jiu smiles and lets the strands fall from his fingers.

They are at peace.

Chapter Text

June 22

Some nights, Shen Jiu wakes with a heavy feeling on his chest, like mountains and boulders stacked carefully on top of his body, choking the life out of him.

Sometimes, the cause is his own guilt-ridden soul, damning him for surviving alone. But other nights, that immense pressure, that unbearable weight chaining him down... it's merely the weight of Luo Binghe's head on his chest or his possessive embrace around his torso as he sleeps carelessly beside him.

On these nights, he appreciates the weight of the life burdening his shoulders and closes his eyes.

Chapter Text

June 23

Long ago, Luo Binghe never dared to bring work into the bedroom. He could never trust the one to occupy his bed. These nights, however, Luo Binghe's nightstand is overflowing with documents: treatises, military plans, and economic propositions all carelessly scattered about.

He often sits in his bed, flipping through pages of political deluge, and on occasion, he turns to his partner and asks for his thoughts.

Shen Jiu's side of the bed is now clear of the documents, lined up and organized on his own nightstand, and Luo Binghe observes him from the corner of his eye, pretending not to notice how Shen Jiu lingers—not wanting to sleep but also not wanting to work. He watches his husband pat down the bed sheets for the third time, adjusting his robe for the second, and sneaks yet another glance at Luo Binghe.

"Is husband uncomfortable anywhere? Shall I request a change of the sheets? Perhaps a snack for the evening?" Luo Binghe asks, feigning ignorance.

Shen Jiu stammers for a moment before angrily huffing, "No need!" And then covers himself with the blanket, the tips of his ears burning red.

Luo Binghe feels himself smile, not at all satisfied with this level of teasing. He tosses his remaining work aside and leans over Shen Jiu's shoulder, whispering in his ear. "How shall I serve husband this evening?"

Shen Jiu peers over his shoulder and pulls the collar of Luo Binghe's robes between his fingers, giving it a gentle tug.

"You're the one who offered, so don't regret it, little beast."

"This one wouldn't dare."

Chapter Text

June 24

Shen Jiu had gone to sleep first that evening. He would be off on his own early in the morning to handle matters only he could settle, his absence likely to lean more on weeks than days.

When he'd gone to bed, Luo Binghe was still drafting documents and signing papers. His eyes were weary with fatigue, but Luo Binghe continued to work, barely giving Shen Jiu a grunt of acknowledgment when he said his good nights.

It was to be expected, however.

His destination tomorrow is better suited for Luo Binghe's general than his husband, but Shen Jiu cared not for his status, and Luo Binghe knew that as well.

Shen Jiu wakes in the middle of the night from a growing dampness on his robe. Tucked comfortably under his chin, Luo Binghe rests his head on his chest, and for a moment, Shen Jiu wonders if this child was crying for him.

He tries to adjust his position, but finds that Luo Binghe has intertwined their hands, fingers lacing together. On top of their bedsheets, official documents are still chaotically strewn about, and Shen Jiu struggles to clear them off with his one free hand, all the while careful not to wake his husband.

Once he's done, he guides Luo Binghe's head off his chest, fully expecting his cheeks to be streaked with tears and brows furrowed with sadness.

But no.

Instead, Shen Jiu finds a puddle of drool & Luo Binghe's pleasantly sleeping face, mouth slightly open.

He shoves Luo Binghe away with disgust & angrily tries to remove his soiled robe, only to be stopped by their clasped hands—Luo Binghe unwilling to let go, even in his sleep.

Shen Jiu pauses for a moment. He heaves a heavy sigh.

He shrugs his robe back on and aggressively wipes Luo Binghe's lips with his sleeve and gently closes his mouth.

"If you're lonely then just say it." Shen Jiu grumbles and blows out the candlelight.

Chapter Text

June 25

Luo Binghe opens his bleary eyes, adjusting to the darkness of their bedroom. He loosens his embrace on Shen Jiu and pushes his hair back, a thin sheen of sweat formed at his hairline.

He breathes out, heavy and—if he's being honest—a little disheartened. He sits upright and lights a candle to observe Shen Jiu as he sleeps.

Shen Jiu is sweating, and in the summer heat, Luo Binghe may have thought it was normal, but he had seen what his husband was seeing and knew it is not.

He'd tried time and again to help ease Shen Jiu out of his nightmares, but they were Shen Jiu's battles to fight. He made sure to let Luo Binghe know when he kicked him out each time.

Luo Binghe reaches for Shen Jiu's fan on his nightstand, and starts to fan them both, hoping some cool air might grant him some relief. He tucks Shen Jiu's hair behind his ear, clears the sweat from his forehead, and presses a kiss to his temple.

"You don't need to fight alone anymore." Luo Binghe whispers. He brushes Shen Jiu's hair back with a gentle massage, until the tension on his face eases, and he continues to fan Shen Jiu long after Luo Binghe himself had fallen asleep and the light had gone out.

Chapter Text

June 26

Shen Jiu enters his bedroom—yes, it's his now—and spots his husband in their bed, as annoyingly bright eyed and eager as when he first met him. Except now the light in his eyes isn't sourced from something Shen Jiu didn't have; it was from something they shared.

Luo Binghe is king. He is nearly close to god in this world, but to Shen Jiu, he's the same puppy trying to do tricks to please his master.

"Ready for bed?" If this were before, Shen Jiu would have expected something else, maybe thought it was just a formality for whatever comes next. Now, he hears the question for what it is, and he sees Luo Binghe for who he is.

"Yes." Shen Jiu replies easily and slides onto his side of the bed.

Beside him, Luo Binghe inches a little closer, testing Shen Jiu's boundaries. The night is warm, and Shen Jiu would prefer to be left alone, but there's something about how this man is only his now, how this bed will only ever occupy the two of them, and how.... how wanted Luo Binghe made him feel.

But he'll never say that aloud.

Shen Jiu leans into Luo Binghe, nuzzling his face into the crook of his neck, feeling his pulse against the tip of his nose. He wraps his arms around Luo Binghe's waist and pulls their bodies close. The heat is uncomfortable, but Luo Binghe's embrace makes Shen Jiu melt into his touch, as if he'd always belonged there.

"Good night." Shen Jiu purrs softly as he gently rubs his cheek against Luo Binghe.

"G-Good night." Luo Binghe's voice nearly cracks, and Shen Jiu wants to laugh out loud.

Chapter Text

June 27

"What do you want?"

Luo Binghe's husband is sharp with his words, and his voice could cut his heart in two. But it's been a long time since he realized how little bite was actually in his bark.

Luo Binghe smiles as he creeps up from the foot of the bed, his fingertips dragging along Shen Jiu's skin, brushing against his slim ankle, and up the contour of his leg. He presses a kiss to the inside of Shen Jiu's knee as he smoothly pushes up his robe, giving his inner thigh a light stroke.

"Does husband wish for words?" Luo Binghe asks fiendishly.

Shen Jiu trembles slightly beneath his touch, struggling to keep his composure.

"If husband has no answer, then I can explain." Luo Binghe slides his palms under Shen Jiu's robes, his skin searing hot as it glides along his thigh. "I wish to touch every part of—"

"Enough!!" Shen Jiu raises his hands and covers Luo Binghe's face, making it so that his entire face is obscured. "Your words are obscene. I don't want them."

Luo Binghe holds back his laughter to save his embarrassed husband some face and playfully licks Shen Jiu's palm, taking some joy in his disgust.

"Then what does husband want?" Luo Binghe asks and kisses the same palm in apology, his big eyes turned innocently upward.

A moment of silence passes before Luo Binghe concedes that his pleading face still doesn't work on Shen Jiu. He’s about to give up when Shen Jiu clicks his tongue and pulls on his collar, bringing him up to eye level.

With his face still red with embarrassment, Shen Jiu glares at Luo Binghe and tells him: "Just you."

Chapter Text

June 28

Shen Jiu pales with horror.

Disgust. Absolute devastation.

He covers his mouth as if he's just accidentally spoken a national secret, jeopardized his home, and committed the most terrible of blasphemies.

....He had laughed.

And Luo Binghe heard it.

Shen Jiu watches as the corners of Luo Binghe's fiendish mouth pull upward, his canines coming into full view as he leans closer to Shen Jiu on the bed. Immediately, Shen Jiu's hands clamp on to the back of his neck as he scoots further away.

"Stay away." He commands.

"How could I possibly stay away now that I've found your weakness?" Luo Binghe asks sweetly.

"Don't call it a weakness! It's nothing that—It's nothing! Forget it!" Shen Jiu traps himself between the edge of the bed & Luo Binghe and takes a quick glance at the door to escape.

Luo Binghe catches his glance, however, and pounces on him.

Shen Jiu twists his body off the bed for his getaway, but he's a moment too slow, and Luo Binghe's arms latch around his waist, pulling him back.

"Let go of me, you beast!"

Shen Jiu feels Luo Binghe place his forehead on his back, and listens as he speaks, "I thought you still didn't trust me."

Shen Jiu stills.

Luo Binghe's vulnerable voice catches him off guard. He was never good at consoling others, so he sits awkwardly with one leg hanging off the bed and the rest of his body caught in Luo Binghe's embrace.

Then Luo Binghe laughs, and it's the kind of laugh that makes Shen Jiu want to hit him.

"...But to think, all my worries were just because you're ticklish."

Shen Jiu frowns. "Don't you dare."

"Aren't you too cute?" Shen Jiu flares up at the mention of "cute," but Luo Binghe is peppering the back of his neck with playful butterfly kisses, each one pulling out an unrestrained, boisterous laugh from Shen Jiu.

He struggles in Luo Binghe's arms with tears in his eyes, his jaw hurting from his laughter, and wonders why it feels like it's the first time he's laughed so freely in his entire life.

Chapter Text

June 29

Luo Binghe knows he's acting spoiled.

He's been testing Shen Jiu's patience: stealing food off his plate, asking him to brush his hair, and recently, he's taken to asking him to care for his nails.

Feeling as though tonight's maintenance is taking longer than normal, Luo Binghe sets his work aside.

When he finally turns his attention to his husband, Shen Jiu is just finishing up applying a layer of pink coating to his nails.

Shen Jiu smiles mockingly when their eyes meet.

"Shen Qingqiu!!"

Shen Jiu's eyes light up.

"I don't think this is my color. How about black?"

Shen Jiu deadpans at Luo Binghe & sighs before pulling out a box of various polishes.

"You're not even remotely insulted? What a waste."

Luo Binghe quite likes his husband when he sulks, so he grins as Shen Jiu pulls out the black polish anyway and sets to work replacing the pink.

"Why would I be mad when husband was only thinking about me? Actually, I feel very loved." Luo Binghe doesn't try to avoid the pillow that comes hurtling toward his face, because seeing Shen Jiu's flustered face for a moment longer is worth it.

"Who was thinking of you, brat?!"

But Luo Binghe knows Shen Jiu is always thinking of him. It doesn't show in his words, but he feels it in his actions.

He sees it in the perfect glimmer and shine of his nails.

Chapter Text

June 30

Shen Jiu isn't a lightweight.

At least, not that he remembers, but it's been years since he last let himself get drunk and frankly, he wouldn't have it any other way. He'd been an integral part in tonight's dinner with the diplomats, and he's certain his husband wouldn't have been able to resolve things as well as he did. He deserved to let loose a little!

"Where are you going?"

Shen Jiu raises his head just in time to catch Luo Binghe reaching his hand out. He swats him away before his fingertips could so much as brush against his robe.

"Don't touch me." Shen Jiu orders as he makes his way toward the bedroom door, his hands clumsily fumbling with the knots of his sashes. "I'm going to take a bath."

Behind him, Luo Binghe raises a curious brow.

"Now? You're drunk. You'll drown."

Shen Jiu glances over his shoulder with a sly smile. "Will I? Maybe you should make sure I don't."

Shen Jiu blames the alcohol for his shamelessness, but he's rather enjoying the freedom. His husband on the other hand turns to stone for a second, before suddenly scrambling to get off the bed.

Shen Jiu laughs internally as he watches Luo Binghe—Demon King, ruler of the realms—trip over his robe twice as he rushes to accept Shen Jiu's rare invitation like an eager pup, a foolish grin growing on his face.

"A bath it is!"

Chapter Text

July 1

Luo Binghe thinks he finally understands.

The women he left, the families he had abandoned before they could form—he finally understands. Luo Binghe does not have any children, but he thinks he might want one now.

He wants one with Shen Jiu.

When women asked to bear a son for him, Luo Binghe always assumed it was to gain a foothold on his bloodline, a harpy's claw clenched around his throne. He never thought children could be born out of love.

He knew parental love only for a short time, and he wagered Shen Jiu knew it even less. But Luo Binghe felt something inside both of them. Buried beneath the layers of scars and lost childhoods, they were aching for the family they wished they had.

More importantly, Luo Binghe believes in the both of them. He believes they are both capable of expressing that familial love, if only they were given the chance...

It was this line line of thinking that prompted him to speak his mind.

"I want kids."

Shen Jiu stares at him, expression unreadable. "...Are you asking for permission to take a mistress?"

Luo Binghe nearly slams his head against the wall, because of course his husband would think that.

"No, with you."

"Not possible."

"It is! Demons have a way."

"Even if it is, we shouldn't. What can be borne from 2 monsters, except another one?"

".....You're no monster, no matter how many times you tell yourself that."

Luo Binghe wraps his arms around Shen Jiu and kisses his forehead. He doesn't know when his husband first began to think of himself this way, but he's going to make sure it ends.

When it does, he'll ask him again, but for now, he wants to help Shen Jiu learn to love himself.

"Is a family of two not enough?" Shen Jiu's voice is quiet. Meek. Wary.

Luo Binghe sighs blissfully, his heart full knowing Shen Jiu already considered them a family.

"It is."

Chapter Text

July 2

Shen Jiu actually really likes food. He suffered for years on Qing Jing Peak eating bland porridge and stale bread in the name of tradition, discipline.

But before Qing Jing Peak, Shen Jiu would blend into the rowdy crowds during festivals and snag a snack, maybe 3. Now that he was free—at least, free enough—he abandoned his clingy husband to join a local festival, not promising to return. He’s only about 2 stalls in when he realizes he can barely hold on to all his food.

He sits down on a nearby bench, munching away, wondering when he was last able to be this careless. (In the back of his mind, he reminds himself he's married royalty and shouldn’t be careless at all, but it's not really his problem. It's Luo Binghe's.)

So absorbed was he in his moment of respite that he nearly fails to notice a masked man take a seat next to him.

Shen Jiu side-eyes the stranger and his demon mask.

"Beautiful evening, isn't it?" The stranger asks.

Shen Jiu takes a leisurely bite of his food and gives a noncommittal hum.

The stranger asks him a bit more things: what is he eating? How long will he stay? Shen Jiu is very beautiful, is he alone?

Shen Jiu doesn't appreciate the intrusion and can't believe he's about to say it, but he he does anyway. Not like anyone important will hear.

"Sir, there is nothing you have to offer me that I don't already have."

The masked stranger goes silent. "...What do you think I want to offer you?"

"Your person."

"You already have someone you care for?"

"I do." Shen Jiu replies without hesitation, shocking even himself. He stuffs something else into his mouth haughtily, his annoyance increasing with the man's persistence.

The man suddenly doubles over with laughter.

Shen Jiu feels a creeping doom & lunges to remove the mask.

Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe laughing at him with tears in his eyes.

Shen Jiu freezes, caught somewhere between horror and embarrassment.

"I didn't know husband was this loyal!" Luo Binghe laughs.

And Shen Jiu takes insult. "Who do you think I am?! Of course I'm loyal!"

But all he does is dig his own grave and make Luo Binghe laugh harder.

Chapter Text

July 3

Luo Binghe is selfish & greedy.

If he could, he would cover Shen Jiu in a veil every time he steps outside, have him speak only to him, and have him look only at him. But Shen Jiu is willful & does not easily give in to his demands, not even one so simple.

"Just one kiss."

Shen Jiu's face twists, the mocking question of "you can't be serious?" evident on his face.

Luo Binghe resists the urge to match that ugly face with his own and asks again, softer this time.

Shen Jiu is slightly more amenable when he is gentle.

"No."

Very slight.

Luo Binghe sighs and lays in their bed, surrendering for the evening. This doesn't mean he gives up, only that the next battle will be fought another day.

He closes his eyes, wondering when he'll ask for Shen Jiu to kiss him again.

He was in the middle of drafting his dialogue for next time, when he felt something warm against his lips.

Nervous and unsure. Trembling.

Luo Binghe doesn't forget to breathe, because he'll be found out if he does. Instead, he waits for Shen Jiu to pull away from his secret kiss & grumble about his selfishness.

Luo Binghe struggles with every fiber of his being to keep calm and continue "sleeping" until Shen Jiu lays down to sleep himself. Casually, he turns away from Shen Jiu and buries his face in his hands.

Is it not Shen Jiu's own fault Luo Binghe is this greedy for him?!

Chapter Text

July 4

Shen Jiu woke up this morning to the smell of breakfast in bed, courtesy of Luo Binghe.

Then, Luo Binghe snuck into his bath, helping him wash up while on his best behavior. He assisted Shen Jiu the whole day without complaint. A rather relaxing day...

Something must be wrong.

Shen Jiu sits in their bed without a hint of fatigue despite a whole day's work and glances at his husband warily.

"Is something wrong?" He asks, unsure how to phrase it.

Luo Binghe smiles at him. "No?"

"You're happy."

"Am I?"

Shen Jiu squints at that bright, bright smile. He thinks for a moment and realizes something is missing in their routine.

 "You won't ask me for anything? Nothing you want?"

"I already have Husband, & you give me everything. ♥”

Shen Jiu feels like a cheap woman with Luo Binghe's cheesy line & resists the urge to smack him. Luo Binghe's unfaltering smile unnerves him...

And realization dawns.

"You were awake last night!!!" Shen Jiu all but yells. He pounces on Luo Binghe, rubbing at his lips roughly with his sleeve. "Wipe that smile off your face! Forget it!! It didn't happen!"

Luo Binghe laughs and captures Shen Jiu's wrists in his hands.

"I don't know what Husband is speaking of! I fell asleep quickly last night!" Luo Binghe defends, but Shen Jiu can spot a liar as easily as he breathes.

"Don't mock me!"

Luo Binghe suddenly lets go of his wrists and lets him fall into his arms.

"It's ok. I'll wait until you're ready. No need to rush. I'll always be by your side. Whether you want me or not!"

Shen Jiu balls his fists against Luo Binghe's chest & hides his face.

Really... Why did this kid always say such cliched lines?

Smooth-talking brat.

Chapter Text

July 5

Luo Binghe thinks it's funny how easily he & Shen Jiu were able to adapt to each other once their affections were mutual.

From his favorite food to his most subtle quirks, Luo Binghe could describe Shen Jiu like a novel.

He thinks it's even funnier how they both had a tendency to be selfless.

Imagine that.

The shizun he resented and the greedy king. "Selfless" isn't the first word that comes to mind for either of them, yet Luo Binghe feels it.

He sees it when Shen Jiu ignores his own fatigue & helps him with his paperwork and when he sets aside his shame to negotiate with his former colleagues on behalf of Luo Binghe.

The profile of the man he once feared and hated was now a sight of comfort and warmth. In his most difficult of nights, Shen Jiu is there with him—from the gruesome battles to the late night office hours, Shen Jiu's face is the only constant Luo Binghe can count on.

He gently plucks Shen Jiu's hand away from the pen as he rubs at his temples for the 3rd time that evening.

"Rest now. You've done enough." Luo Binghe says & rubs his thumb along the back of Shen Jiu's hand.

"I'm not done yet." Shen Jiu says and attempts to take back his captured hand.

Luo Binghe holds on tight and interlaces their fingers instead.

Shen Jiu lets out a breath, a little from exhaustion, a little from exasperation.

"Don't be bothersome. This has to be done."

Luo Binghe brings their locked hands to his lips and kisses Shen Jiu's fingers, the tips stained gray from flipping through pages & pages of ink. He knows Shen Jiu's dedication—maybe not to him, but at least to his position and the responsibilities of his status. It's useless to argue now.

"Then won't husband rest a while? I will wake you in a moment." Luo Binghe taps his shoulder for Shen Jiu to rest his head on.

Shen Jiu hesitates.

"...Just for a little while."

Luo Binghe nods and lets Shen Jiu rest his head against his shoulder. He thinks that perhaps their roles should be reversed. This is his work after all. But as he listens to Shen Jiu's even breathing and feels the warmth of his hand against his, he can't help but feel as though his role was always to be this man's support.

Chapter Text

July 6

Shen Jiu sighs and all but slaps the damp cloth on top of Luo Binghe's feverish forehead.

"What kind of Demon King gets a fever for no reason?" Luo Binghe smiles sheepishly and twists Shen Jiu's sleeve between his fingers, as if trying to keep him in place.

"Stay?" He asks.

Shen Jiu slaps Luo Binghe's hand lightly as if swatting a fly and huffs, "No. I have things to do."

Luo Binghe pouts—an expression Shen Jiu painfully realizes only he is privy to. Painful, not because it works, but because it's times like this he feels special.

He doesn't have to argue for long, because Luo Binghe falls asleep even as he's trying to act cute. Luo Binghe releases Shen Jiu's sleeve, and his hand falls onto the bed.

Then, for some reason, Shen Jiu frowns and eyes the hand that easily let him go.

 But he's being foolish.

Shen Jiu turns to exit their bedroom, trying to focus on his responsibilities.

"...Shizun."

He stops and looks over his shoulder, wondering if Luo Binghe is awake. His eyes are closed, expression sour and sad and painful.

Shen Jiu doesn't know if he is being called out of fear or for comfort, so there he stands at the doorway, awkward and feeling so very alone.

He kind of resents how much sway Luo Binghe has on his emotions and his bearing, but he was always this kind of person. Shen Jiu either cared too much or not enough.

"—love you."

He's not good at soft feelings, but he knows them. They are buried deep within him, but they are plentiful.

Shen Jiu quietly shuts the door and returns to Luo Binghe. He slides into bed and brings his husband into his arms. He cups Luo Binghe's weary face, wiping away his tears before they fall.

And he admits: he does care about this man too much, thinks about him too much, feels for him too much. But all of that is fine.

Because this time, he knows Luo Binghe will return it in kind.

Chapter Text

July 7

Luo Binghe sits with Shen Jiu at a nearby restaurant. The 2nd floor is peaceful, a nearly separate world from the ruckus of bustling townspeople in the streets down below.

He peers over the ledge with a curious eye.

"Careful." Shen Jiu pulls the hood of his cloak to further obscure his face and motions for Luo Binghe to do the same. "And don't get any ideas."

"Isn't a king allowed to have fun?"

"No." Shen Jiu sips his tea, back straight & elegant fingers wrapped around the cup.

Luo Binghe admires him, remembering how beautiful Shen Jiu was the first time they shared tea, but he must be hopeless, because even after all this time, there is nothing he wouldn't give to stay in this moment.

Undeniably smitten, he smiles into his cup. "How stingy."

Luo Binghe and Shen Jiu leave and take care of their business—a black market trader, an arms dealer, and a spy. Some allies, some not.

They return to the city just as the festive music reaches its heights and the cracks of fireworks bring about endless cheers.

Luo Binghe glances at Shen Jiu and tugs at his sleeve.

"Let's play?"

Shen Jiu stares at him, the weariness evident on his face. The same lecture from earlier is ready at his lips but he's too exhausted to say them.

Suddenly, the music rises and the stage is empty. Luo Binghe can see the dread in Shen Jiu's eyes.

"Binghe, no--!"

Luo Binghe pulls them up to the stage and steals the dancer's swords, tossing one to Shen Jiu with a grin. He catches it out of habit and frowns, but Luo Binghe doesn't let him protest.

Luo Binghe sways to the music, at first pulling Shen Jiu along.

Maybe it's the embarrassment of looking like a fool that gets to Shen Jiu, because soon, the two are dancing in unison, swords gliding in the air, robes fluttering like bamboo leaves. They tell a story in their motions, a romance of two.

Luo Binghe doesn’t know when, but their cloaks had flown off, and they had danced with reckless abandon anyway.

No one in the crowd recognized them; not a single soul knew their entertainers are none other than their king and his trump card.

Luo Binghe loves it.

He laughs breathlessly as Shen Jiu scrambles to find their cloaks, his face glowing under the vibrant red lights. He walks up to him and plants a kiss on his cheek in plain view.

How nice would it be to be a nobody with only this man at his side?

Chapter Text

July 8

Shen Jiu has refined taste. He doesn't wear just any ornament that's given to him. He must appreciate the aesthetic of the piece, its price, and most of all, its meaning.

From the day he left Qing Jing Peak until today, the only items gracing his head are the same ones he's always worn.

As the Demon King's husband, of course he's received tributes and gifts, but none have ever felt right. All of them eventually get stored away in a drawer, never to be used.

"Are they not to your liking?" Luo Binghe asks him.

"Too gaudy." Shen Jiu replies and puts away his latest gift.

Luo Binghe lays down in their bed and stares at the ceiling in thought.

"Then would husband wear something if it is simple?"

"Simple is not the same as good."

"Then a good one?"

"What is good to you?"

Luo Binghe cranes his neck to look at Shen Jiu with exasperation. "You're being difficult."

"You're being annoying." Shen Jiu scoffs and rises from his vanity table, shooing Luo Binghe away so he can lay down too.

Luo Binghe fools him, however, and slides underneath Shen Jiu just in time to capture him in his arms.

"What are you doing?" Shen Jiu complains as he tries to wriggle out of his grasp.

"Then how about these?" Luo Binghe holds out a pair of high-quality jade drop earrings.

Elegant. Expensive. 2 of 3 criteria isn't bad, but it's lacking in the 3rd.

Shen Jiu makes a face and challenges, "Why would I wear them?"

"For me?" Shen Jiu nearly laughs.

"Match with me."

This time, Shen Jiu actually laughs. Luo Binghe's arms wrap around him even tighter, until his breath tickles his cheek.

"Husband need not wear it where others can see." Luo Binghe persuades, voice low and entertained. "Only I need to see them... But where?"

Luo Binghe's palms slide up Shen Jiu's chest, fingertips brushing lightly against his skin. Shen Jiu feels his face burn, his attention wrapped around those roaming hands and jade earrings …and that undeniable desire of possession.

Luo Binghe whispers into his neck, "Tell me where?"

Shen Jiu gulps, his throat dry. Perhaps this will be the first gift he wears.

Chapter Text

July 9

Luo Binghe must be in a dream.

...Or a nightmare, because WHAT is that smell?

He crinkles his nose as he peeks into the kitchen like a mischievous child, watching Shen Jiu scurry around between boiling pots & a flour-laden table. His husband looks absolutely miserable, and Luo Binghe swears he's never been more entertained in his life.

Shen Jiu's usually immaculate robes are covered with patches of flour, odd-colored stains, and even his hair has become clumped from strange things.

After what feels like an entire day, Shen Jiu manages to complete several large platters of mystery food. He looks at it distastefully but risks a sample anyway.

Luo Binghe has to pinch his leg to prevent himself from laughing at Shen Jiu's disgusted face.

Shen Jiu picks up the plate and heads for the trash bin.

"Wait a moment." Luo Binghe steps in and steals the plate away. "Wasn't Shizun the one who taught us not to waste food?"

Shen Jiu's face turns ashen.

"But I'm curious," Luo Binghe takes a piece of pork—..beef ...fish??—and tries it anyway, "why bother cooking?"

The demon lord schools his face as a rush of salt numbs his mouth & cries internally when he still can't figure out what manner of animal he's eating.

Shen Jiu answers only after watching him swallow. "I wanted to celebrate properly."

Luo Binghe is confused. "Celebrate what?"

Shen Jiu frowns, and to the untrained eye, he probably looks furious, but Luo Binghe knows when his husband is pouting.

Luo Binghe looks at the table with the other dishes and sees the set of wine cups from their wedding.

'Ah.' He thinks and starts naming the menu from their disastrous wedding night and matches them with Shen Jiu's unique imitations. Luo Binghe feels his eyes burn and his lip tremble.

"Then let's do it together."

Chapter Text

July 11

The first time Luo Binghe felt Shen Jiu's silken hair pass between his fingers, he's had the irresistible urge to style it. Braid it. Tuck flowers into the twists until his grouchy husband was blooming like the flowers in their yard.

And with Shen Jiu asleep, now was the perfect time.

They sit in a meadow while their company sets up camp, bustling about while Shen Jiu sleeps quietly in the shade of an old tree. The others willingly ignore their master and his beloved, choosing to be blind to Luo Binghe's tricks.

Luo Binghe gathers Shen Jiu's hair and weaves it into a single large braid, occasionally reaching to his left and right to pluck a fresh flower and tuck it into the braid. Once he's done, Luo Binghe sits opposite of Shen Jiu and admires his work.

Shen Jiu wakes up to Luo Binghe smiling at him, as if he's been watching him for hours.

"What?" Shen Jiu asks warily, a little on edge.

"I was right." Luo Binghe answers. "Shizun has always been beautiful."

Shen Jiu rubs his eyes & tries again. "What?"

He finally notices the foreign hairstyle and deadpans at Luo Binghe.

"Wasted your time with this? Useless." Shen Jiu criticizes as he rises, pulling at Luo Binghe's arm to follow.

Luo Binghe waits patiently for Shen Jiu to undo his hard work.

As he predicted, his husband plucks out a flower, then another, and Luo Binghe readies his defeated sigh. But instead of throwing them away, Shen Jiu twists the stems and tucks them behind Luo Binghe's ear.

"These suit you better." Shen Jiu laughs.

Luo Binghe wonders if he should be insulted or flattered, but whatever it is, he'll forgive it, because a willing laugh from Shen Jiu is rare. Precious.

It is his treasure.

"You're more the maiden than I could ever be!"

...and the bane of his existence.

Chapter Text

July 13

Shen Jiu dislikes public displays of affection. He thinks it's disrespectful and cringe-worthy. Most of the time, he can get away with never having to succumb to Luo Binghe's pleas, but today, he's being difficult.

Luo Binghe taps Shen Jiu's hand with a smile.

He ignores him.

Luo Binghe tries to catch his hand on a backward swing as they walk to the meeting room.

He slaps his hand away.

When they're outside the room, Luo Binghe's fingertips linger against Shen Jiu's palm, trying to persuade him.

"What's with you?" Shen Jiu hisses when they arrive.

Luo Binghe takes the chance to hold his hand again, only for Shen Jiu to fling it away.

"Won't you indulge me?" Luo Binghe asks with a smile, and Shen Jiu wonders why he needs to resort to seduction. 

"Get it together before we walk in." Shen Jiu orders and opens the double doors to the meeting room.

Inside, he recognizes familiar faces.

There are at least two of Luo Binghe's ex-wives in the crowd of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect representatives. Shen Jiu wagers this comprises the majority of what's left of the sect, no thanks to his “benevolent” husband. Luo Binghe does not fail, after all, and destroying the sect was always part of his plan.

Shen Jiu stops at the entrance, gauging the expressions on their faces.

He thinks he can hear them accuse him. Blame him.

Luo Binghe comes up behind him and grasps his hand.

Shen Jiu doesn't know how his body turned so cold, but the heat of Luo Binghe's hand anchors him and reminds his blood to move.

Luo Binghe glances at him, gives him a toothy smile, and soothingly squeezes his hand within the secrecy of their robes. The heat spreads from his hand to his arm. It fills his chest and covers his whole face.

Shen Jiu inhales and follows Luo Binghe's lead, walking beside him so no one can see their affection.

But that's not all.

He has to walk beside him. Because he chose him. Because he understands him.

Because in his entire life, Luo Binghe is the only person who has ever truly worried about Shen Jiu. The only one who would turn the whole world over just for him.

Shen Jiu laces their fingers together and squeezes back.

Chapter Text

July 14

Luo Binghe only just realizes what loneliness is.

As a child, he'd lost his foster mother too soon. As a teen, he had nothing to lose, and as demon lord, he still had nothing and no one to keep him company.

Not really.

Not until Shen Jiu.

Maybe he had always yearned for him, or maybe it was just that Shen Jiu possessed the exact kind of love Luo Binghe was always looking for.

Possessive. Mildly controlling. Overwhelming. Maybe they had always wanted to give and receive an overbearing love. One that never left the levels of their affection a secret.

"Shall I keep you company for the evening?"

Sha Hualing's voice once seduced Luo Binghe into a lustful frenzy. "That man doesn't need to know...."

Now, the only thing her voice excites is his temper.

"I won't stay." Luo Binghe peels off her hand from his shoulder and rises to leave for home now that business was done.

He spent many years deluding himself that this was affection. This was love. The gentle smiles of women, their soft embrace, their welcoming advances... Luo Binghe knows now.

Love is scolding him when he's careless in battle. Love is criticizing his lack of control over his demonic energy. Love is teaching him that control with an iron fist, so he can return safely.

Love is there, waiting for him at home.

"You're early?" Shen Jiu is in the office, though he would normally be in bed. There are dark circles under his eyes, but he says nothing concerning them. "Go bathe. You smell horrible."

Luo Binghe grins and walks over.

"Come with me." He says and gathers Shen Jiu into his arms. "I missed you."

Shen Jiu stops resisting him, a pink flush growing on his cheeks, blurring away the stress from his face.

Luo Binghe waits patiently. He knows the answer, but he wants to hear it.

"...Fine."

Love was right in Luo Binghe's arms.

Chapter Text

July 15

Shen Jiu doesn't mind indulging Luo Binghe every now and then, so when he nonchalantly asked for Shen Jiu to draw a portrait of him, he replied with an "ok" on a whim.

So, yes, Shen Jiu is what you call an adult, but he's certainly not above pranking his own husband...

"Accurate, isn't it?" Shen Jiu holds out his portrait of Luo Binghe proudly, and if he has to admit, he's really outdone himself!

Luo Binghe frowns and holds up his portrait of Shen Jiu.

In it, Shen Jiu is heavenly, ethereal, and gorgeous.

"This is what I wanted!"

Shen Jiu snickers, "But you do have me, don't you?"

"Yes!—But no! I wanted to know how you see me!" Luo Binghe's lower lip juts out into a subtle pout.

Shen Jiu looks at his drawing and back at Luo Binghe. "Hm? Seems right to me."

Luo Binghe's pout exaggerates, and Shen Jiu can't stop the laughter that bubbles out of his chest. He looks back at his drawing with the big, sparkling eyes & the long lashes—the same pleading expression.

Oh, it's a perfect match!

Shen Jiu can't breathe, because how could anyone deny the resemblance?!

"Shen Jiu! I'm not a dog!" Luo Binghe growls and lunges to take his portrait. "You dare call this demon king a dog?!"

"Yes!" Shen Jiu laughs, and truth be told, he feels a little guilty when he looks at how much effort Luo Binghe put into making his portrait.

But there was something intensely satisfying in knowing that Shen Jiu could get away with this. How small jokes were easily forgiven, because he could trust in their stability and the mutual devotion.

Shen Jiu hid his portrait of Bingpup behind him and placed a hand on top of Luo Binghe's head.

"But you are my little beast, aren't you?"

The little beast who grew up just to hunt Shen Jiu down... and then put him back together. He is his feral beast. His loyal pup.

"....Your beast." Luo Binghe repeats.

"Mine."

Chapter Text

July 16

"I trust you."

If Luo Binghe thinks about it, these were the words that had changed Shen Jiu's attitude toward him the most. Flattery never worked. Seduction was like getting slapped in the face. Nothing seemed to move Shen Jiu in the same way his other partners did, but when they were caught between the edge of a cliff and an army of enemies, Shen Jiu pushed him down—like a replay of that pivotal moment of his life.

He fell and he fell, but this time, he saw Shen Jiu's face, and he knew he had grown on him.

"I trust you." He whispered as gravity pulled him down.

Shen Jiu became a blur, then a dot in the distance.

And Luo Binghe didn't die.

To his left were large rocks, sturdy enough to break him had he landed there. To his right, a clearing in the forest. Shen Jiu pushed him into the only area with trees to soften his fall, to make even a reckless cliff jump survivable for a half demon like him.

Or maybe it was just dumb luck.  Luo Binghe wants to believe it's not.

That was many years ago, but Luo Binghe remembers it clearly. Now, he says these words even more scarcely than "I love you," because a simple "I love you" doesn't mean anything to them. It never has. It was either said too often or not enough, until neither believed it to be true.

It's the moments they say, "I trust you" that give their relationship meaning. It's when Luo Binghe leaves everything he owns in Shen Jiu's hands and tells him he trusts him to rule with him. It's when Shen Jiu gives his body over to Luo Binghe and tells him he trusts him. It never means he wants Luo Binghe to be gentle. It means he trusts the pleasure will be greater than the pain.

So, it takes Luo Binghe by surprise when their expression of love turns into a demand.

"Trust me." Shen Jiu orders as he pushes Luo Binghe into their bed, his robes hanging loosely at his shoulders.

Luo Binghe feels his mouth grow dry, and the only thought running through his head is a single realization: 'So Shen Jiu can be greedy too.'

Chapter Text

July 17

"Aren't you a little too good at this?" Luo Binghe rubs his chin as he stands behind Shen Jiu, who's busy undoing the seals on a large set of doors.

"Keep watch." Shen Jiu dismisses and continues his work.

Luo Binghe doesn't turn around and keeps his eyes glued to Shen Jiu's handiwork.

Several high-level seals are quickly undone, which, isn't unheard of for someone of Shen Jiu's status, but it's the method in which he does it that intrigues Luo Binghe. The paper seals are removed intact, as if they were never tampered with.

"Tell me." Luo Binghe leans over Shen Jiu's shoulder and whispers in his ear. "Has shizun ever lived the life of a thief?"

The last seal comes off cleanly and Shen Jiu opens the doors. Beyond are the riches of demon nobility that will be generously donated to the kingdom... but hopefully, the owners won't realize their generosity for a long, long time.

Luo Binghe cocks a brow up when Shen Jiu gives him an easy smile, as if he were thinking about something nostalgic—maybe a little bitter.

"Nothing so nice." He replies. "I was just another street rat."

Luo Binghe jogs to catch up to Shen Jiu and pulls on his sleeve.

"Thank him for me!"

"Thank who?" Shen Jiu wrinkles his nose in confusion.

"The street rat who gave me a husband that can infiltrate a heavily guarded treasure room!"

"HAH—" Shen Jiu covered his mouth before the rest of his laughter could expose them. He flung Luo Binghe's hand off and walked further in with a shake of his head. "What an idiot!"

 Luo Binghe follows, rather pleased with himself.

When Shen Jiu looks over his shoulder, eyes twinkling with mirth, Luo Binghe can't help but grin at him.

"You're an idiot! ...But I'll tell him for you."

Chapter Text

July 18

Shen Jiu guesses his husband is handsome.

His eyelashes are long. His skin is soft and smooth. His muscles are even more defined than Shen Jiu's.

Not that he's comparing.

What he doesn't get is: why him? Why Shen Jiu?

Luo Binghe literally had every beautiful woman in the two realms either already married to him or promised to be wed. Yet, here that same Luo Binghe lay with only Shen Jiu to keep him company.

"Am I handsome?" Luo Binghe asks as he adjusts his position to lay his head on Shen Jiu's thighs.

"Arrogant brat."

"You're not denying it, so it must be true!" Luo Binghe smiles as he takes one of Shen Jiu's hands and places it on his head.

"You're acting spoiled." Shen Jiu states, but his hand still brushes through Luo Binghe's hair on instinct, massaging his scalp too while he's at it.

Luo Binghe looks up at him from his comfortable position, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

"You look like you want to spoil me."

Shen Jiu gives Luo Binghe's hair a harsh tug. "Oh, really?"

"Ow, ow! I'm joking! ...A little." Luo Binghe's laughs as he sits himself up. "You were looking too closely, Shen Jiu. You're making me blush!"

Shen Jiu stammers to put together an answer, but Luo Binghe interrupts.

"Tell me. What do you think of when you look at me?"

"...Luo Binghe. Little beast. Timid brat. Goody two shoes—"

Luo Binghe holds up his hand in embarrassment.

"Do you know how other people would answer that question?"

Shen Jiu thinks it's a trick question.

"They would say: handsome, strong, the sovereign."

"Are you bragging?"

Luo Binghe chuckles and shakes his head. "You see Luo Binghe, Shen Jiu. You see his weaknesses and his flaws. You know his strengths and his virtues."

He places his forehead against Shen Jiu's with a gentle tap.

"Sometimes, you see so well it scares me. But I would rather have someone who sees all of me, than a hundred people who deny any part of me."

Shen Jiu closes his eyes when he realizes his question was answered without his asking. He loops a finger around one of Luo Binghe's and breathes out.

"Me too."

Chapter Text

July 19

"No."

"No one else is suitable."

"Shen Jiu, no."

"You're just jealous."

Luo Binghe's nostrils flare as he blocks Shen Jiu's path. "Yes! I'm jealous!"

"—that I get to go to the brothel."

"—that other people get to see you like this!!"

Luo Binghe and Shen Jiu share equally bewildered expressions.

Luo Binghe shakes his head. Did his husband really still think this way about him?

Luo Binghe didn't care who saw his previous wives. In fact, he wore them around his arms in the place of precious jewels. But Shen Jiu? The man ties his hair up a little differently and Luo Binghe wants to stare at him all day. How could he let Shen Jiu, with his face made up like the most expensive courtesan, be seen by anyone else?

"You're being dramatic." Shen Jiu recovers, cheeks a brighter pink than the blush he applied.

Luo Binghe claws at his face. "I'm going with you!"

Shen Jiu's face pales when Luo Binghe starts to strip and put on the female robes they stole for the undercover work. Luo Binghe ignores him and finishes dressing himself.

"Now do my makeup!" Luo Binghe orders as he sits himself down in front of the vanity table.

"...You're going to upstage me."

Luo Binghe smirks and fluffs his hair. "I'm helping! If they're too busy looking at me, they won't notice you!"

The logic is there, and it makes sense for their purpose. But Luo Binghe knows Shen Jiu's competitive nature will still feel mildly slighted by his proposition. He mentally prepares another logical point to support his plan, but he's interrupted with a sudden splash of white powder onto his face.

Luo Binghe coughs out several puffs of powder and hears a snicker from Shen Jiu amidst his wheezing.

"Alright princess, close your eyes!" Shen Jiu teases, brush in hand.

Luo Binghe's lips purse into a grim line, and he prays Shen Jiu doesn't sabotage his face.

Chapter Text

July 20

Shen Jiu wakes up this morning to an empty bed. He groggily starts to get himself ready for the day and wonders why he hasn't been harassed by his husband yet.

"Good morning!" Luo Binghe greets him in the dining area.

Normally, Shen Jiu would make a witty retort, but today, he's speechless. He's far too focused on how unkempt Luo Binghe looks.

The Demon King is wearing a cheap apron over his robes, his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and his hair is covered with patches of flour.

"What are you doing?"

Luo Binghe sighs, and Shen Jiu hates it, because for some reason, he feels guilty for it.

"Never mind. Sit!" Luo Binghe taps the chair and pushes it in once Shen Jiu is seated.

Shen Jiu watches with confusion as Luo Binghe runs in and out of the kitchen with a new, extravagant dish each time.

With mild panic, he starts to list off important dates for meetings, anniversaries, festivals—but he can't for the life of him figure out what is so special about today.

The final dish that Luo Binghe brings out is a bowl of noodles.

Two bowls.

He sits next to Shen Jiu and inhales deeply.

"You don't know what day it is today, do you?" Luo Binghe asks, but he knows the answer. One glance at Shen Jiu's confused face was enough. "It's the day we met."

Shen Jiu's face scrunches together. "You remember something like that? Isn't a wedding anniversary enough?"

"Meeting me may have been insignificant to you, but," Luo Binghe's eyebrows furrow together, the difficulty of his words alien to him, "but meeting you was an important moment for me. You became everything to me.”

His voice falters for a moment before he speaks again, rushed and nervous.

“And you won't tell me your birthday; I don't know mine, so I made one for both of us."

It's not that Shen Jiu won't. He can't tell him what he doesn't know.

Luo Binghe must take his silence for dissatisfaction.

"I—... I'm thankful you're here. Alive. I'm thankful to be in this world with you."

Shen Jiu never cared about his birthday before. Something like that was always supposed to be spent with people you loved and the people who loved you. So he just... Never celebrated it. Didn't think it was worth celebrating.

"I don't really care about my birthday. I will never understand why someone like me exists, but I will believe in this: I'll believe in us and you. I'll believe in that birthday." Luo Binghe rambles now that he's started.

Shen Jiu feels his eyes prickle.

"This breakfast is too heavy."

Luo Binghe seems at a loss. "...I got carried away."

Shen Jiu doesn't want to say anything. His voice might crack.

"...Happy birthday, Luo Binghe." He finally says. "To bo—...both of us."

Luo Binghe bites his bottom lip and nods.

"Happy birthday, Shen Jiu."

Chapter Text

July 21

Luo Binghe twists the grass between his fingers and watches with intrigue as Shen Jiu meditates in the middle of a meadow, on the brink of improving his cultivation.

The summer night is warm and the fireflies are out, hovering around Shen Jiu with curiosity, and Luo Binghe thinks he's getting too soft-hearted when he thinks they're a lot like those fireflies.

They spend the majority of their lifetime trying to grow and become whole, only to glow brightly for a short moment, finding happiness—if fireflies could be happy—in their last moments. A sliver of light in an otherwise mundane life.

Luo Binghe thinks for both he and Shen Jiu, this is their moment of light. It's beautiful. It's terrifying.

He wonders when this temporary happiness will end.

If he could keep Shen Jiu for the next 3 lifetimes, he would feel all the better for it. But there's no promise of a next time.

Only now. Only here.

A firefly lands on Luo Binghe's knee and so too does the rough nudge of a delicate foot.

"Oh... How fast." Luo Binghe tries to sound congratulating, but his heart isn't in it.

Shen Jiu raises a brow and gives Luo Binghe's shin a light kick.

"What are you thinking about so solemnly?"

"Will you comfort me?" Luo Binghe asks with a gentle laugh.

"Maybe." Shen Jiu replies easily. "Depends."

"It's nothing important."

Shen Jiu looks at Luo Binghe once over and shrugs.

"What indecisive nonsense. Not like it matters if you tell me now."

Luo Binghe should have expected that.

"You have all the time in the world to tell me. Not like I'm going anywhere."

Luo Binghe stops in his tracks. "You promise?"

Shen Jiu gives him a confused look. "Sure?"

Luo Binghe grins and grasps Shen Jiu's hand so they can walk side by side.

"Then you've already comforted me." He says as he swings their hands together in large, exaggerated arcs.

Chapter Text

July 22

When Shen Jiu was a child, he sought the comfort of a mother's embrace. It's all he remembered from his real family, the only solace he could find in that strange, cold world he'd been thrown into.

He often burrowed himself into the arms of an older slave girl, who would laugh at his childish behavior and pat his head as if she were truly his sister. After she left, he had that person to keep him company.

It was similar, but it wasn't the same. Yet he sought it all the same.

And when even that person disappeared from his life, Shen Jiu didn't think he'd ever know what it's like to feel comfortable in another person's embrace ever again.

Sure, there were brothel women, but they held him the same way they would any other customer.

It wasn't the same.

He didn't know what it was he was looking for, but he knew he hadn't found it.

But lately...

Lately, he thinks he remembers that warmth and that security inside Luo Binghe's embrace. He thinks there's something in his arms that brings him peace.

Maybe it's love. Maybe it's family. Maybe it's that feeling of being home that Shen Jiu hasn't known for a long time.

Not that he'll tell Luo Binghe any of that.

This greedy husband of his will just have to take comfort in the way Shen Jiu readily accepts his arms during the night and willingly tucks his head under Luo Binghe's chin and rests his cheek against his chest. He'll have to believe in the way Shen Jiu's arms always, inevitably snake around Luo Binghe's torso by morning and in the way he accepts lazy morning kisses without complaint, if only to stay snuggled for a moment longer.

Luo Binghe will have to trust that when Shen Jiu says "good morning" and "good night," that this time, he means it.

And it may not be "I love you" or "I trust you," but they are his own, quiet ways of appreciating Luo Binghe's presence.

Chapter Text

July 23

There's something Luo Binghe has noticed.

Shen Jiu only tolerates spicy so as not to lose face.

He prefers sweet over savory. If something must be savory, he likes food with a milder flavor.

He likes his tea steeped for a certain length of time, and it changes with every blend.

It's not that Shen Jiu says he dislikes something. In fact, whatever is put in front of him, he'll eat. In the past, he used to say everything Luo Binghe served him was trash, but he hasn't heard such criticism in a long time.

Luo Binghe presses his chopsticks to his lips as they try new dishes in a restaurant, scrutinizing each dish and running it through his mental criteria.

In the meanwhile, Shen Jiu converses over a cup of tea with an acquaintance they "accidentally" came across today. He's listening to them but just barely.

Luo Binghe starts to pick up food from varies dishes and drops them onto Shen Jiu's plate one by one with conviction. When he sees that his plate hasn't filled up, Luo Binghe calls the waitress over to place another order of dessert.

"The Lord certainly treasures you." Their acquaintance comments with a lighthearted laugh. "How envious."

Shen Jiu looks at his half-filled plate, the only one with food on it, and then at Luo Binghe, who only smiles pleasantly in return.

"Don't praise him too much. His head will grow too large." Shen Jiu huffs, but he picks up his chopsticks anyway.

Luo Binghe starts to get his own food, but as he does so, Shen Jiu drops several pieces of meat onto his plate.

"This is too much for me." Shen Jiu excuses and drops more onto Luo Binghe's plate.

Luo Binghe knows it's a lie, but the act makes him smile.

"Ah, my bad." Luo Binghe responds, but he picks up the food Shen Jiu gave him and eats it wholeheartedly.

How could he not? It was his favorite dish.

Chapter Text

July 24

Unbelievable.

Shen Jiu hasn't had a qi deviation in years. He's advanced more quickly and easily in the past few years than he has for most of his life. Too easily perhaps.

Maybe he should consider himself fortunate for never having qi deviated into a child until now.

Shen Jiu eyes a still sleeping Luo Binghe next to him and quickly tries to slip out of his arms.

"Where are you going so—...early...?" Luo Binghe easily grabs a hold of his wrist... his teeny, tiny wrist.

Luo Binghe blinks at the little hand trying to throw him off.

Shen Jiu yells, "Let go of me!"

But even he's embarrassed at how squeaky his voice sounds.

"Shizun? Husband?? Shen Jiu???" Luo Binghe asks as he leans in close to observe his face. "Huh, must be. The anger lines are even more apparent..."

"Luo Binghe!" Shen Jiu grits his teeth as he tries to command Luo Binghe into submission, but all of his barking is ignored in favor of pulling at his cheeks and giving him ridiculously tight hugs.

"Stop treating me like a child!" Shen Jiu complains as he smacks Luo Binghe's back.

"Hmm we're gonna need new clothes for you." Luo Binghe dresses himself and hastily gathers Shen Jiu into one of his robes. "Let's get you something from the servants first. Then we'll go shop!"

Shen Jiu tugs at Luo Binghe's hair as if to control him.

"No! No shopping! I have to go back to normal! I have things to do!"

Luo Binghe shakes his head.

"Nope! This probably means you should relax. Do you know that word?"

Shen Jiu wasn't sure if he was asking to be sarcastic or if he was testing his intellect, but either way, Luo Binghe gets an aggressive hair pull in response.

"Let me down!"

"How lucky!"

"What?" Shen Jiu's face distorts in response.

"Lucky to be able to see a young shizun!" Luo Binghe grins. "I always wondered what you were like as a kid. Maybe we would have gotten along."

Shen Jiu snorts like the child he is, a little too obviously that it catches him by surprise. With an awkward cough, he corrects his composure.

"Doubtful."

"You think?" Luo Binghe laughs. "I think I would have followed you around, no matter what you did."

"We could have been brothers or friends." Luo Binghe adds teasingly as he rubs Shen Jiu's cheek with his thumb.

Somehow, the words don't sit right with Shen Jiu.

"I don't want to be your brother or your friend." He snaps, but what he means to say is left between the lines.

Luo Binghe isn't fazed by it and only kisses his pouting brat of a husband on the forehead, the tact of older Shen Jiu lost on his younger self.

"Because what we have now is forged from what we went through." Luo Binghe says for him. "I know."

"If you know then shut up." Shen Jiu says as he looks down, the tips of his ears red.

"But bullying a young Shen Jiu truly is a different kind of entertainment." Luo Binghe laughs and tugs at his cheeks again.

"Luo Binghe, you brat! I'll really end you!!!!!!"

Chapter Text

July 25

"I want to go there." Shen Jiu says as his sits comfortably on Luo Binghe's shoulders. He rests his chin on top of Luo Binghe's head and loosely wraps his small arms around his neck.

Luo Binghe sees that it's a shady location they've been putting off investigating.

"How about there instead?" Luo Binghe points to a sweets shop.

"No."

"But they have your favori—owowowow."

Shen Jiu tugs at Luo Binghe's hair and forcibly directs him to his choice.

"Fine fine. We'll do some work, and THEN we're going to play. Deal?"

Shen Jiu rolls his eyes and gives Luo Binghe's cheek a light slap. "Who's the child here?"

Shen Jiu runs through his plans in his head, not bothering to tell Luo Binghe, because he won't need to. Not because Luo Binghe already knows, but Shen Jiu is merely counting on his natural charisma.

Shen Jiu clambers down from his shoulders and changes his expression to that of an innocent child as they walk into the "fabric" store. The shopkeep lady smiles at Luo Binghe and then at Shen Jiu.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning. I would like some clothes for—" Luo Binghe looks down at Shen Jiu and nearly chokes on a lung when Shen Jiu gazes back up at him with the biggest set of glimmering, childish eyes he's ever seen. "—ahem. For him. Yes. Him."

"How cute! Is he your son?"

Yes, it's all going according to plan!

The shopkeep will flirt with Luo Binghe, giving him the chance to infiltrate the back of the shop! Shen Jiu quietly slips away once the two start (seriously???) talking about what colors suit him best. Heh. So Luo Binghe's lady killer face is good for something!

"Oh!! You can't go back there!" The shopkeeper suddenly lifts Shen Jiu up and carries him away from the door.

"Sorry about that. He's a handful!" Luo Binghe laughs and holds out his hands to take back Shen Jiu.

"Haha yes, I believe it!" She replies but continues to make small talk with Luo Binghe as she brushes stray strands away from Shen Jiu's bright face. "Ah, but he's so cute! I would forgive everything!"

"Haha... Yes..." Luo Binghe laughs and inches forward. Shen Jiu eyes Luo Binghe's hands and wonders if his husband is jealous of the shopkeeper.

"Now then, lets find him some clothes!" Shen Jiu's plan has derailed, but they can switch positions! He waves Luo Binghe to go search the place while he distracts the lady.

But his efforts are in vain.

Luo Binghe is too busy trying to steal Shen Jiu back from the shopkeeper.

In the meantime, the shopkeeper keeps playing dress up with Shen Jiu, throwing on every fabric in sight on him.

"I want to grow up." Shen Jiu says tiredly.

In startling unison, both the shopkeeper and Luo Binghe yell at him.

"NO."

...Shen Jiu puffs out his cheeks.

Chapter Text

July 25

Luo Binghe laughs to himself as he walks home, little Shen Jiu in his arms fast asleep.

His miniature husband has a lock of Luo Binghe's hair still tightly clasped between chubby fingers, and even in his sleep, he still manages to complain about his young demon husband.

Luo Binghe forgives it, however. Actually, he's quite flattered his husband thinks of him in his dreams too.

As he passes by various shops, he lingers a little longer and inevitably buys something for Shen Jiu. Some for his little self. Some for his older self.

Luo Binghe can't quite describe it, but once he's started spoiling Shen Jiu, he can't control himself anymore.

Every untrue complaint makes Luo Binghe laugh. Every blush fills his stomach with butterflies. To put it simply: he just likes it when Shen Jiu is happy.

"How cute!"

Luo Binghe smiles at the store attendant as he loiters around the fan displays.

Truth be told, he's getting tired of people fawning over Shen Jiu. He's used to being the only one doting on him and asking for his attention. Having competition is odd.

"For your wife?" The attendant inquires. "Shall I recommend one?"

Luo Binghe shakes his head. "No. I will choose it."

"I see. Gifts given from the heart are the real treasures. She must be well-loved!"

Luo Binghe's eyes crinkle slightly as he grins. "Very much so!"

"And this young master must be as well! Look at how well he sleeps!" Luo Binghe looks down and agrees, even though his little Shen Jiu is now drooling all over his robes.

"Yes." He agrees & presses a kiss to Shen Jiu's forehead, quieting his grumbles. "He's my world."

Chapter Text

July 26

"What are you reading?" Luo Binghe asks over Shen Jiu's shoulder. "Fiction? How unlike you."

Shen Jiu waves Luo Binghe away casually.

However, he's actually quite panicked.

He underestimated Luo Binghe's familiarity with popular literature. He can't very well say he's doing research.

"What genres do you like?" Luo Binghe inquires as he scans the pages Shen Jiu has open. "...Is this roma—"

Shen Jiu slams the book closed.

"Do I look like I would read romance?" Shen Jiu pretends to take insult.

It's an embarrassing story that makes Shen Jiu want to slam his head into the wall. It was just casual talk with one of the servants. Then they started to talk about romance in a relationship.

It got Shen Jiu thinking. What was romance? Was what he and Luo Binghe had romance? Were they romantic?

Shen Jiu knows there's deep rooted affection between them, but sometimes "romance" doesn't seem to fit. He wasn't going to change, no matter what he read, and nothing would invalidate what they have.

He was just curious.

"I hear things get spicy in volume 2." Luo Binghe remarks as he follows Shen Jiu to bed, leaving the book on a table.

Shen Jiu frowns. "I don't want to know why you know that."

"So? Picking up a new hobby?" Luo Binghe slides under the covers with Shen Jiu.

"No. Just curious." Shen Jiu tries to ignore the grin on Luo Binghe's face as he teases him.

"About what?" Luo Binghe scoots closer. "Hm...Should I court you?"

A blush creeps onto Shen Jiu's cheeks. "No."

"Bring you flowers? Take you to see the stars?"

"No, no."

"Serenade you?"

"NO." Shen Jiu groans as he hides under the blanket. "...But do you wish for me to?"

"Serenade me?" The humor in Luo Binghe's voice is not lost on him.

"Court you." Shen Jiu corrects. "Should I bring you flowers?"

When he doesn't get a reply, Shen Jiu pokes his head out from the covers.

"You go back. Don't look." Luo Binghe says as he tries to keep the covers over Shen Jiu's head.

"What do you mean go ba—LUO BINGHE—What do you think you're do— ...Are you blushing?" 

Luo Binghe looks like he's been doused in red powder, his entire face heated and steaming. A rare sight for this lady-killer, this sex fiend, this confident force of a man.

Luo Binghe tries to hide his face with his hands, and Shen Jiu wonders what flowers are in season.

Chapter Text

July 27

"There must be something wrong with my eyes." Shen Jiu says to Luo Binghe out of the blue.

"Did you get something in them?" Luo Binghe inquires as he examines Shen Jiu's face.

"No. But I keep looking at you."

Luo Binghe stares.

Shen Jiu's deadpan expression makes Luo Binghe wonder if he's being insulted.

"...Try washing them out?"

Shen Jiu clears his throat and agrees, striding out of the room without another word.

.

.

.

"It's very hot today."

Luo Binghe takes a moment to appreciate the cool breeze flowing from the window.

"...Is it?" Luo Binghe asks with mild concern.

"...You're not smiling." Shen Jiu frowns.

"...Should I be??"

"Forget it." Shen Jiu turns on his heel, annoyance clearly evident on his face.

Luo Binghe sits in his office completely confused.

When Luo Binghe sees Shen Jiu again, he's waiting outside his office with his hands behind his back.

"Were you waiting for me?" Luo Binghe feels the exhaustion leave his body at the sight of him.

"Yes."

The straightforward answer makes him smile.

"I'm not good at this." Shen Jiu says before Luo Binghe gets too close. "Obviously. But..."

Luo Binghe freezes when Shen Jiu pulls out a large, overflowing bouquet of glorious red roses from behind him. His jaw goes slack.

In his mind, he's screaming Shen Jiu's name and asking him if he's really Shen Jiu, but in reality, all Luo Binghe can do is smile. He's smiling so wide it hurts and tears well up from the heat on his face.

He thought Shen Jiu was just joking when he offered to court him.

"Before you say anything!!" Shen Jiu interrupts. "...`it's especially hot today! It must be because your smile is like the sun!'"

Everything suddenly clicks.

What "problems with his eyes?" What "hot weather?" Shen Jiu was just a horrible flirt!!!

The warm, unfamiliar romantic feeling in Luo Binghe's chest exploded with nostalgia and familiarity as he laughs—bent over, hugging his sides laughing.

"Where did you learn these pick up lines from?!" Luo Binghe's face is beet red, but he can't tell if it's from love or laughter.

"I was advised!" Shen Jiu says light-heartedly as he slips the bouquet into Luo Binghe's arms. "I did well, didn't I?"

That little bit of sassy confidence entices Luo Binghe to place a kiss on Shen Jiu's cheek.

"Very well done!"

Luo Binghe shifts his bouquet to one side and instinctively grasps Shen Jiu's hand with the other.

"Hm." Shen Jiu ponders as they walk to their bedroom.

 "What?"

Shen Jiu lifts their joined hands.

"Sometimes I feel like your hands were made to hold mine."

Luo Binghe hides his face with his flowers.

"Who taught you that one?!" He cries.

"Hm? Taught me what?"

Luo Binghe makes an unintelligible noise behind the red petals and wonders if he'll be able to survive this suddenly very smooth Shen Jiu.

Chapter Text

July 29

Shen Jiu comes to inside the familiar set up of his bedroom on Qing Jing Peak. He resists the urge to roll his eyes at his husband's antics and exits the bamboo house.

"Good morning, shizun!" Shen Jiu looks down at Luo Binghe's young face.

"Don't you get tired of this, little beast?" Shen Jiu asks as he pokes Luo Binghe's forehead with the edge of his fan.

"Tired of what, shizun?"

The smile on his face both disarms and irritates Shen Jiu.

"So what do you want this time?" Shen Jiu asks with a sneer. "Another secret tryst in the disciple dorms? How about in the courtyard?"

Shen Jiu leans down and tilts Luo Binghe's chin up with his fan.

"Or should we just give the whole peak a show?"

A devious grin spreads across Luo Binghe's face as he pushes away Shen Jiu's fan. "Shizun is quite bold. If only the you in reality would be willing to take such adventures with me."

Shen Jiu scoffs and folds his arms. "Well? What is it then?"

Luo Binghe resumes his innocent facade and stands aside for Shen Jiu to lead.

"Shall I pour tea?"

Shen Jiu lifts a brow curiously and makes his way to his courtyard table. Waiting for him are several plates of sweets personally made by Luo Binghe for his picky palate. Once he sits, Luo Binghe is at his side with a steaming pot of tea.

It smells different from any other teas Shen Jiu has had. "What is this?"

"Taste it first!" Luo Binghe pushes a cup into Shen Jiu's hands.

It's mildly sweet and faintly reminds Shen Jiu of flowers.

Luo Binghe tilts his head forward, "Does shizun approve?"

Shen Jiu feels that lingering sweetness on his tongue, accentuated by Luo Binghe's earnestness in thinking of him. He curls his finger to lure Luo Binghe closer.

Luo Binghe leans in unquestioningly. He lowers his eyes, as if embarrassed to be so close.

Shen Jiu wonders if this is Luo Binghe's own way of being shy.

Perhaps he was too self-conscious to offer this custom tea blend to Shen Jiu directly and thought he should practice first. Shen Jiu tucks his index finger under Luo Binghe's collar and pulls him forward.

He smiles as he gingerly places a kiss on Luo Binghe's lips, chuckling to himself when Luo Binghe stills with shock and his eyes flutter wildly.

"Satisfied?"

Luo Binghe manages a nod as he tries to hide his cheeks with his collar.

Luo Binghe squeaks, "Yes."

Chapter Text

July 30

Luo Binghe has had enough.

(No, actually, he hasn't.)

He's through with being weak to Shen Jiu's flirtations!

(He's living for them, in fact.)

It's about time he shows his husband what "smooth" really means.

"It must have hurt a lot when you fell." Luo Binghe says.

Shen Jiu cocks his head to the side. "What in the world are you talking about?"

Luo Binghe rubs Shen Jiu's back, right between his shoulder blades.

"It's a long fall from heaven, angel."

Shen Jiu stares.

1 second passes.

2 seconds pass.

"Did you just imply I got kicked out of heaven?"

"I—"

Luo Binghe stops rubbing Shen Jiu's back and turns around, throwing the covers over his shoulders.

"Good night!" He hears Shen Jiu muffle a laugh behind him.

.

.

.

"What? Giving up already?" Shen Jiu teases.

"None of my pick up lines work on you." Luo Binghe complains as he throws himself across Shen Jiu's lap.

"You're impervious to flattery."

"Baseless compliments won't affect me." Shen Jiu says with an air of confidence.

"What 'baseless?'" Luo Binghe clicks his tongue. "You are beautiful."

"Baseless."

"Your eyes glimmer sometimes. When you're happy, they shine." Luo Binghe says as he looks at the ceiling, his head on Shen Jiu's thigh. "You're beautiful even when you don't try to, like the way you always carry yourself with pride."

Luo Binghe lists off more in his head, but he takes a moment to let the words sink in.

"Still think it's baseless?" Luo Binghe grins and turns to face him, only to be caught off guard with Shen Jiu's flustered expression.

'So that's it.' Luo Binghe thinks triumphantly He pushes himself up so he's eye level to Shen Jiu.

"You're beautiful when you smile." Luo Binghe says as he tilts Shen Jiu's chin to look at him. "But I'm glad you only show it to me."

Luo Binghe leans in and lets a hand snake behind Shen Jiu's neck.

"You are strong, too, despite what others think." He rubs the back of Shen Jiu's neck reassuringly and inches their faces closer. "You are also kind in your own way. I took too long to see it."

He loops a lock of Shen Jiu's hair between his fingers & kisses it.

"That's enough!" Shen Jiu exclaims as he tries to push him away. Luo Binghe grins as he leans in, lips hovering dangerously close to Shen Jiu's ear.

"No. I need to make sure all of you knows just how beautiful you are."

Shen Jiu trembles at the thought.

Chapter Text

July 31

Shen Jiu hums a gentle tune as he brushes his hair, a song he hasn't let himself appreciate in a long time. It's a song from a time when he had no other worries except where he would go on his next adventure. When he ran around tall grasses with dirt covering his face.

"Did something good happen?" Luo Binghe asks as he steals the brush from Shen Jiu and attends to the rest of his hair.

Shen Jiu looks over Luo Binghe through the mirror and lets himself lean into his touch. He thinks about how he—Shen Qingqiu, the Xiu Ya sword, the fallen Peak Lord of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect—has been causing a ruckus with Luo Binghe all over their palace.

A childish argument here, an embarrassing session of secret kisses caught by the servants over there.

"...Something like that."

"How mysterious."

"Anything I should know about?" Luo Binghe's voice is light-hearted. "Like where you learned this song?"

Shen Jiu briefly wonders how hard he should smack Luo Binghe, but he decides on something entirely different.

"My mother used to sing this song to me."

Luo Binghe continues to brush his hair as if unfazed, but he doesn't seem to have words for Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu closes his eyes. He doesn't blame him. It's the first time Shen Jiu has really said anything about himself so easily. So openly.

Luo Binghe could easily find out everything he wanted from Shen Jiu with force, but he's never done that. He waits for him, and that’s a small comfort, but that also means he has to struggle with himself to open up. He had to be vulnerable. Weak.

"Do you miss her?" Luo Binghe asks after brushing the same section of hair for the nth time.

Shen Jiu pauses. "No. It's been so long."

Luo Binghe makes a noise.

"But you miss yours, don't you?" Shen Jiu states. He can see the longing in Luo Binghe's eyes.

"Never knew her." Luo Binghe shrugs.

"Not her. Your mother. Not the woman who birthed you." Shen Jiu looks up at Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe stares down, searching Shen Jiu's face for the right answer.

When he finds nothing, he quietly says, "Yes."

Shen Jiu nods. He plucks Luo Binghe's hands away from his hair and grasps them gently.

"Family is not always the one that's given to us." Shen Jiu says, as if recalling a very distant memory. "It's the people we choose to be with, and those who choose to be with us."

Luo Binghe nods, but his expression is a little empty.

Shen Jiu adds. "Family is you and me."

He rubs soothing circles on the back of Luo Binghe's hand.

"It's Mobei Jun. It's the servants in this palace. They choose to serve you, as I've chosen to love you."

Luo Binghe's eyes shine with tears he won't let fall, and he leans down, burrowing his face into Shen Jiu's neck.

"My family—all of you—chose me, huh?" Luo Binghe laughs, his voice shaking.

"Mmhm." Shen Jiu pats Luo Binghe's head and hums his song again.

Chapter Text

August 1

"Just for a little while won't hurt!" Luo Binghe says as he orders their company to make camp by the beach. "We're ahead of schedule anyway."

Luo Binghe bats his lashes and sends Shen Jiu his least annoying smile. "We've never really gone on vacation."

Shen Jiu sighs.

"Fine. One night." Luo Binghe grins and steals Shen Jiu away before he can coordinate the camp setup. With a firm grasp on his wrist, Luo Binghe drags Shen Jiu away from their company and begins to strip.

"...What are you doing?" Shen Jiu asks as he takes a step back.

"Let's go for a swim!" Luo Binghe grins, already half-naked.

"Go by yourself." Shen Jiu huffs and turns away, only to be caught in Luo Binghe's arms.

Luo Binghe hugs Shen Jiu tight from behind him and nuzzles his cheek.

"Shen Jiu," He starts solemnly, gently. "...Don't make me push you in. Robes and all."

Shen Jiu, who had been allowing Luo Binghe to be clingy, suddenly whips his head towards him. His eyes narrowing at his husband.

"You wouldn't dare."

Luo Binghe lines the collar of Shen Jiu's robe with a finger.

"How embarrassing would it be to return looking like a wet cat?"

"Luo. Binghe."

Luo Binghe clenches his hand on Shen Jiu's robes, while the other grasps his torso firmly. "On second thought, I'd like to see it!"

"WHY, YOU INSUFFERABLE BEA—"

S P L A S H ! ! !

Luo Binghe shades his eyes as he watches Shen Jiu fall into the sea with a large splash, the bright sunset behind him.

When Shen Jiu inevitably resurfaces, he's yelling profanities & even attempting to throw his fan at his head. Luo Binghe laughs & swims over.

"You! Get over here, so I can drown you!" Shen Jiu threatens as he meets him halfway, splashing water in Luo Binghe's face like a child.

Luo Binghe laughs boisterously at his husband's immature and unsightly self. He thinks he's lucky to be able to see him like this. So lucky, in fact, that he purposely makes Shen Jiu mad just to get scolded, just to see the moment when all of Shen Jiu's superficial layers come down.

"Don't just laugh!" Shen Jiu smacks Luo Binghe's head once he reaches him. "Get me out of these clothes."

Luo Binghe grins as the words register.

"No need to tell me twice." He says as he eagerly helps Shen Jiu out of his robes.

He thinks it's funny how Shen Jiu plays along with him more often. He thinks it's funny, too, how Luo Binghe himself plays around more often. He'd never done it much, even as a child. He'd always been the "good one." Always played by the rules.

But he rather likes breaking them with Shen Jiu.

"Horny beast."

"And you're a bad influence." Luo Binghe remarks and steals one slightly salty kiss from him.

Shen Jiu looks at him, appalled.

"Who threw this master into the ocean?!"

One look at an offended Shen Jiu & Luo Binghe finally understands what 'fun' really means.

Chapter Text

August 4

"You're not making me look ugly, are you?" Luo Binghe's concern is legitimate...

"Of course not!"

Because currently, Luo Binghe can't see a thing, leaving the care of his person entirely to Shen Jiu.

"That happy tone in your voices doesn't comfort me!" Luo Binghe feels his hair get brushed behind his shoulder with a sweep of Shen Jiu's hand.

"You look as good as the top selling lady at a brothel." Shen Jiu snickers.

Luo Binghe groans. "I'm at least wearing my usual robes right?!"

Shen Jiu pats down his collar. "Hm? Are you? This master no longer no longer understands current fashion."

Luo Binghe exchanges another round of playful banter with Shen Jiu, but the truth is, it wouldn't take much for him to figure it out. He's not the demon lord for nothing.

He could certainly dress himself, walk alone, & function normally if he wanted.

Shen Jiu knows it too.

Luo Binghe takes advantage of the fact that no one else does.

It gives Shen Jiu a reason to spoil him, to hold his arm as they walk, to feed him when he "struggles."

The wound on his arm could have healed days ago if Luo Binghe so wished, but he likes having his little secret with Shen Jiu. He especially likes it when he acts the fool, but Shen Jiu still habitually tells him: "I've got you. I'm here."

Chapter Text

August 5

Shen Jiu used to hate the rain.

When he slept outside as a rogue, it would ruin his sleep and his comfort. Inside his bamboo house, he would remember the faint smell of trash that always mixed into the downpour.

But Luo Binghe seems to like it.

At least, he seems to like sticking close to Shen Jiu as they share one umbrella, because they are always, inconveniently ONLY one umbrella short.

Luo Binghe never apologizes as he scurries under Shen Jiu's umbrella and never even offers to hold it for them. He just smiles cheekily at Shen Jiu & carries on with their conversation.

"Why don't you hide under someone else's umbrella?" Shen Jiu complains when a few drops hit his shoulder.

"I like it here." Luo Binghe takes the chance to wrap an arm around Shen Jiu's wet shoulder.

Shen Jiu uses his free hand to push away Luo Binghe's face before he can nuzzle his cheek and tries to hold the umbrella steady with the other.

"Hey!! Stop playing around!!"

"But you're so warm!" Luo Binghe pleads as he rubs his cheek against Shen Jiu's palm instead. 

"You're acting like an animal!" Shen Jiu disagrees with Luo Binghe.

If anyone is warm, it's this beast of a husband. His body is so warm Shen Jiu forgets the downpour around them and gets lost in the heat of his arms.

"H-Hey! Wait!" Shen Jiu yells.

The umbrella flies out of his hand and the rain pelts them both relentlessly. One of their servants catches the runaway umbrella but hesitantly tries to return it, because where his master and his husband once stood are now two large children roughhousing.

Shen Jiu ignores the stares of their servants: some uncomfortable, some amused, some altogether accustomed to it. He isn't one to use his cultivation for no good reason, but when it comes to Luo Binghe, breaking off a tree branch to use as a makeshift sword imbued with his spiritual energy is absolutely not beneath him.

"GET BACK HERE." Shen Jiu demands, branch-sword in hand and completely drenched.

Luo Binghe had broken off a branch of his own, demonic energy surging through it. "Only if you put that down!"

"Make me." Shen Jiu challenges, raising it up as if to duel.

Luo Binghe grins. "Fine, but don't complain later about my methods."

Shen Jiu's mind goes on full alert, wondering what kind of sly tricks Luo Binghe might pull—what he might pull if given the chance. But all of Shen Jiu's mental preparation was wasted, because instead of dirt in his eyes or a low blow, Luo Binghe slips past his defenses... Only to land a kiss on Shen Jiu's lips.

Surprise clears his head.

Only the warmth of their lips occupy his mind. It's strange, Shen Jiu thinks, how even in this cold, cold rain, there's a fire in his chest and a flame on his lips.

When Luo Binghe pulls back, that self-serving grin on his face, Shen Jiu thinks he won't mind the rain. If it means he could feel a warmth like this.

Chapter Text

August 9

WHACK

WHACK WHACK WHACK

Luo Binghe isn't surprised when Shen Jiu meets his attack with a swift and steady hand, matching blow for blow. In fact, he's immensely amused by it.

"Just once." Luo Binghe says, humor lacing his voice. "Put on the cat ears just once!"

"Not a chance!!!" Shen Jiu yells, but all Luo Binghe sees is a black cat whose fur had been ruffled the wrong way and is now hissing in anger.

"It'll be cute!"

"I don't want to be cute!" Shen Jiu growls as he tries to scurry away.

Luo Binghe follows at his heels.

"Stop following me!" Shen Jiu orders as he takes a sharp turn into a different hallway.

"I tolerated that dog portrait you keep by your bedside! This is only fair!" Luo Binghe argues as he twirls a headband resembling the fluffy ears of a black cat between his fingers.

Before Shen Jiu can make his escape into the kitchen where their servants are likely preparing dinner (not that this would stop Luo Binghe), he catches his wrist and pulls him back.

"I'm not wearing it!" Shen Jiu scowls at the headband as if it were cursed.

"Let's make a deal!" Luo Binghe negotiates with a disarming smile. "Whatever you want!"

Shen Jiu eyes Luo Binghe suspiciously... Then he smiles.

"Then wear a doggy pair and bark for me, beast."

"Done!"

"—What?" Shen Jiu nearly chokes on the question. "No you—"

Without another word, Luo Binghe places the cat ears on Shen Jiu's head and covers his mouth in an attempt to contain his grin.

"—YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY NO!"

Luo Binghe wraps his arms around Shen Jiu's waist and pulls him in close, kissing his temple.

Shen Jiu makes a noise, sounding altogether like a disgruntled cat.

"I'll bark for you as much as you want." Luo Binghe teases. "If it means I get my way."

If it makes you happy, he means. He'll bark all Shen Jiu wants, if it means he'll get to hear this kitty purr.

Chapter Text

August 14

Luo Binghe sits at a restaurant with Shen Jiu, watching other couples around them. He picks at his food with envy as he sees a couple feed each other bites of food, giving soft kisses in thanks all while hiding their linked hands beneath the table.

"Shen Jiu. Feed me."

Shen Jiu turns his head, his expression clearly baffled.

"We're on mission."

"So? You can still feed me." Luo Binghe says as he places chopsticks into Shen Jiu's suddenly floppy hands. "We'll blend in!"

"Blend in with what?"

"We can look like lovers." Luo Binghe replies without thinking.

Shen Jiu snickers as Luo Binghe gives up forcing the chopsticks into his hand.

"Fine. Don't humor me." Luo Binghe pouts as he picks up a piece of meat.

"Our target is here!" Shen Jiu says hurriedly.

Luo Binghe turns his head just in time to catch Shen Jiu open his mouth wide, pink tongue just barely slipping out and capturing Luo Binghe's food, wet lips wrapping around the chopsticks.

Luo Binghe gulped.

"Quickly!"

Luo Binghe felt a familiar rush of blood.

Seeing that Luo Binghe isn't making an attempt to move, Shen Jiu grabs him by the collar and pulls him away. "We can play lovers next time! We have to go!"

Luo Binghe feels his heart warm at the words "next time," but his lower half is still reeling from earlier. He covers his face with his hands as he gets dragged away.

"No, let's not do that in public!" He cries, wondering when his heart got so lewd.

Shen Jiu looks over his shoulder briefly, amusement gracing his features.

"Princess, you're far too easy."

Luo Binghe groans inwardly, knowing he's fallen to Shen Jiu's ploy once again.

Curse this man who knows exactly what he does to Luo Binghe. He curses this man and loves him too.

Chapter Text

August 15

Shen Jiu's favorite time to nap is when the sun is highest and warms his office to just the right temperature. His eyes will inevitably close, even for just a moment, as he basks in that warmth he once took for granted.

Today, he sleeps a little too long, and when he wakes, he finds himself lying on top of his bed covers and his husband snuggling himself into his waist.

Shen Jiu peers outside and sees the sun is still out, so he hasn't been sleeping for long. He runs his hand through Luo Binghe's hair, giving it a tug. When his sleeping husband doesn't budge and his breathing stays the same, Shen Jiu relaxes back into the bed and brushes Luo Binghe's hair with his fingers.

It's not rare for his husband to act spoiled, but it is rare for him to do so quietly.

Shen Jiu wonders if he's worried about something, but he figures he'll ask once he wakes.

 And if Luo Binghe can find comfort in just a single hug on a quiet, uneventful afternoon, then Shen Jiu will let him.

If he's honest, there's something soothing in the weight of Luo Binghe's arms around his waist, his cheek pressed against his abdomen. It's a warmth he didn't know until Luo Binghe, but it's one he treasures almost as much as the sun itself.

Shen Jiu sighs & closes his eyes, fingers tangled with Luo Binghe's.

Chapter Text

August 19

"What is this?" Luo Binghe asks, irritation in his voice.

"A calendar." Shen Jiu replies, barely giving it a glance.

"I know it's a calendar. I'm asking why YOU are in it." Luo Binghe angrily smacks his palm against the paper repeatedly.

"What? You have one too."

"I'm different! Everyone already knows what I look like!"

"So then you agree you're a—"

"I mean, I am popular!"

" ...Sure. Not the word I would choose, but whatever makes you feel better." Shen Jiu scoffs and continues his work.

"...I'm confiscating them all. Where did you distribute them?"

Shen Jiu keeps working, letting a moment of silence pass.

"...Better if you don't." He eventually says, not meeting his husband's eyes.

"I'm not letting everyone look at you every day!" Luo Binghe pouts. "They can just get mine."

Shen Jiu clears his throat. "...They can't."

Luo Binghe stares at Shen Jiu & leans in. "Why not?"

"Just let them keep it. "

"Shen Jiu, why not?" Luo Binghe brings his face closer, a smug grin growing on his face.

Shen Jiu looks away.

Luo Binghe pulls on Shen Jiu's chair & sits on his lap.

"You're jealous." Luo Binghe wraps his arms around Shen Jiu's shoulders. "Admit it."

"Get off me, beast."

Luo Binghe pushes. "You want to monopolize me."

"Off. Now. "

"You want me AAALLL to yourself!!"

Shen Jiu stands up abruptly and shoves Luo Binghe off.

"Annoying brat!" Shen Jiu rushes toward the door.

Luo Binghe scrambles after him, a goofy smile marring his elegant features.

"SHEN JIU YOU LOVE ME."

"GO AWAY!"

Chapter Text

August 21

Luo Binghe clears his throat, idling in Shen Jiu's periphery as he reads on their bed.

"What do you want?" Shen Jiu asks, not looking up from his book.

Luo Binghe edges closer, his arms behind his back. "Who says I want anything?"

Shen Jiu finally looks at him.

His face makes Luo Binghe nervous, turns his cheeks red and his palms sweaty.

"Do you... NEED something?" Shen Jiu tries to clarify.

Luo Binghe sits at the foot of the bed. He shifts awkwardly.

Shen Jiu raises a curious brow.

Luo Binghe scoots closer.

Shen Jiu waits expectantly.

"...No, never mind." Luo Binghe says suddenly and shuffles out of the bedroom.

.

.

.

The next morning, Luo Binghe waits for Shen Jiu to finish getting ready for their outing, fidgeting restlessly with his new sword tassel. When Shen Jiu steps out, Luo Binghe's breath hitches, his hands suddenly stilling.

Shen Jiu acts as usual and passes him, easily stepping into the carriage.

"What are you waiting for?" Shen Jiu asks with annoyance.

Luo Binghe smiles until his eyes sparkle.

"Nothing!" He replies and hops into the carriage, burdening Shen Jiu with half his weight as he purposely squeezes against him. "I was just enjoying this beautiful day!"

"Cheeky." Shen Jiu scoffs and pulls lightly at Luo Binghe's cheek.

Luo Binghe's cheek turns pink from Shen Jiu's pulling, but his grin remains.

"But you're right." Shen Jiu agrees and settles into the carriage, their swords clacking lightly together, matching silver and green tassels swaying in unison.

"It is a beautiful day."

Chapter Text

August 25

Shen Jiu and Luo Binghe walk side-by-side as they secretly admire the festivities. The sleeves of their robes are pressed against the other, suspiciously swaying together.

There's a satisfied smile across Luo Binghe's face as he looks at the stalls.

"My lords! Would you care to have your fortune read?" A scrappy old man calls to them from a side alley, a little ways apart from the other booths.

Luo Binghe shakes his head and keeps moving, but Shen Jiu stays. Luo Binghe is pulled back by their locked hands, and he wrinkles his nose.

"You want to know?" He examines Shen Jiu's face, trying to decipher if his expression means genuine curiosity, suspicion, or playful interest. He frowns the longer he waits for Shen Jiu's answer.

What was fate to them?

When had it ever mattered?

Luo Binghe defied destiny. He crushed it on the bottom of his foot and ground it to dust. He always believed Shen Jiu thought the same.

"Why don't you tell me mine?" Shen Jiu asks as he approaches the old man.

He offers his hand. The old man takes Shen Jiu's hand and examines it, scrutinizes it.

Luo Binghe feels an odd sweat on his brow. He wants to ask Shen Jiu why. What does it matter? Nothing would change.

...Right?

"This hand tells me you have lived a good life." The old man says. "But bear many scars. However..." The old man pauses as he looks at Shen Jiu's face, a wrinkly smile growing on his face. "This is not your hand, is it, my lord?"

Luo Binghe feels a different kind of cold sweat on his back as he observes Shen Jiu.

"Correct." Shen Jiu nods his head and hides his hands behind his back. "Now try again."

The old man rubs his chin, pulling at his beard in thought as he eyes Shen Jiu's physique. Suddenly, the old man starts to laugh, a mildly disturbing cackle amidst the celebration.

"The lovers we celebrate today meet once a year, a testament to their desire to defy fate and the heavenly barriers that separate them," The old man says, throwing a hand up to the other stalls, "but the two of you—shall we sing songs of you as well?"

Luo Binghe interrupts, a bit defensive, "What do you mean?"

The old man raises his hands and laughs. "This old oracle jests!"

Shen Jiu presses his fan against Luo Binghe to calm him down. "Please, explain what you mean."

"To defy fate for love is a tale of the ages. But the two of you—ruthless and unforgiving, perhaps even unfilial, defying fate for oneself and for your own happiness... There is certainly a red string connecting the two of you."

The old man's eyes twinkle with amusement. "

But whether it was always there, or if –somehow—the gods or you have reconnected them... I cannot say. All I see is the start and the end. The rest is all up in knots."

"Not that it matters." Luo Binghe and Shen Jiu reply in unison.

They glance at each other briefly, a little awkwardly.

Shen Jiu clears his throat and hands over several coins.

"Thank you for the service."

"I am honored to serve our Kings." The old man bows his hand as he accepts the money. As they walk away, Luo Binghe tugs at Shen Jiu's hand, realizing they never let go.

"Why did you bother?"

"I thought he was going to tell me about the future or my cultivation, not a love line reading." Shen Jiu sighs.

Luo Binghe let's out a breathy laugh, some unknown tension released from his shoulders.

"Not curious about the red string?" Shen Jiu looks up at him, then lightly slaps his fan on the back of Luo Binghe's hand.

"What do I care about invisible red strings when this hand won't let me go?" Shen Jiu clicks his tongue.

"...Happy Qixi Festival." Luo Binghe gives him a cheeky grin.

Shen Jiu frowns and pulls on Luo Binghe's collar. With a snap of his wrist, his fan flares open and hides their faces.

"Same to you." He whispers and places a gentle, secret kiss on Luo Binghe's lips. "You, who put knots on my red thread."

"...Shall we make a song?"

Chapter Text

September 6

"Shen Jiu, look." Luo Binghe swirls his fingers inside the bathwater until a mountain of bubbles start to form. "This inn has those things you like!"

"YOU like." Shen Jiu corrects as he raises his feet to rest on the top of the tub. "Why can't you bathe later?"

Luo Binghe lays his head on Shen Jiu's ankle and grins as he makes small waves in the water to send the bubbles over to Shen Jiu's side. "I'll be bored."

"Well I'm annoyed." Shen Jiu clicks his tongue and creates a single large wave to annihilate the incoming bubbles.

"I'm not!" Luo Binghe adds more of the soap concoction into their bathwater until a strong scent of roses perfuses the air.

Shen Jiu is in the middle of turning the page of his book when the smell hits him.

"Binghe, that's too much!" Shen Jiu looks up from his book, only to find an overflowing mess of bubbles where his husband should be. Curiously, he peers down into the clear water on his side & sees Luo Binghe's feet.

"Still alive?" Shen Jiu asks as he shakes Luo Binghe's ankle.

Nothing.

"Hey."

Still no answer.

Just as Shen Jiu decides to clear away the bubbles, there's a sudden gust of air sending them all into his face!

Glistening soap bubbles both big and small assault him as Luo Binghe blows and blows and blows them in his direction. When Shen Jiu finally finishes fighting off the projectiles & loses his book some time during the fray, he hears Luo Binghe laughing boisterously.

"Your face, Shen Jiu!" He ridicules as he clutches his abdomen, face red with mirth.

"Luo. BINGHE!" Shen Jiu roars.

Mustering an aquatic attack of his own, Shen Jiu raises the now murky water on his side of the tub and sends a mini tsunami hurtling toward Luo Binghe. He smirks triumphantly when the fluff of Luo Binghe's hair flattens, making him look not unlike a wet dog.

"...Shen Jiu, I assume you're prepared for the consequences." Luo Binghe warns.

"Do your worst, beast!"

Shen Jiu nearly coughs out a lung from laughter when Luo Binghe enthusiastically launches himself across their medium-sized tub to encase Shen Jiu in his arms.

"Are you stupid?!" Shen Jiu scolds as he tugs lightly at Luo Binghe's hair. "We're going to break the tub!!"

Luo Binghe scoffs and wraps his arms tighter around Shen Jiu. "Pfft. What do I care about that? I'm their king."

"You're not mine, so don't be shameful."

Shen Jiu nearly snorts when Luo Binghe looks up at him with large eyes, feigning mild concern and entirely looking to be spoiled.

"Then what am I?"

Shen Jiu knows he wants to hear the words "my husband." He smiles and pats Luo Binghe's head mockingly.

"My beast."

Chapter Text

September 26

Shen Jiu collapsed onto the bed face first, fully clothed and with his shoes dangling from his toes precariously, as if unwilling to let him rest.

 "Shouldn't you at least take off your clothes?" Luo Binghe asks as he trails into the bedroom, looking equally fatigued.

With a sigh, Luo Binghe trudges over to Shen Jiu's side of the bed and gently collapses onto his husband, nuzzling his face into his neck. Beneath him, Shen Jiu grunts weakly, slapping at Luo Binghe's head with barely any force.

"Off."

"Mn." Luo Binghe acknowledges.

Shen Jiu lets his eyes close, the weight of Luo Binghe a strange comfort, the feel of his breath against his skin soothing. He isn't sure when he fell asleep, but when he wakes up the next morning in the same clothes he wore to last night's soiree, he feels very warm.

At some point during the night, they had both climbed under the covers, snuggling into each other's arms, seeking comfort in familiarity after a long evening of playing politics.

Shen Jiu sits upright and leans against the headboard, giving up on leaving the bed once he sees Luo Binghe's arms securely wrapped around his waist. He breaths in softly and brushes stray strands of hair out of Luo Binghe's face, both admiring and cursing the beauty of his demon husband.

Like this, it's hard to believe how they ended up here. It was hard to believe who they were before they were husbands.

Shen Jiu has lived a long life now, and of all the memories he's made, of all the experiences he's had... He thinks it's moments like this he remembers and treasures the most.

"Did you fall in love?" Luo Binghe bats his long lashes at him as he kisses Shen Jiu's fingertips, his gaze still blurry with sleep.

Shen Jiu makes a noise, caught somewhere between mock ridicule and adoration. "Did you?"

"Yes." Luo Binghe answers without hesitation, a fierce glint in his eyes as he looks up between the spaces of Shen Jiu's fingertips.

Shen Jiu reflexively shoves both hands abruptly onto Luo Binghe's face as if to scrub the expression off.

"It's too early to be this embarrassing." Shen Jiu grumbles, his face red and burning.

"So I can be this embarrassing when it's late?" Luo Binghe returns slyly as he climbs up and locks Shen Jiu between his arms.

"No!!!"

Chapter Text

December 11

S P L A T

"—PFFFF HAHAHAHA!" Shen Jiu grips his sides as his entire body shakes with laughter, tears threatening to roll down his cheeks.

A few steps ahead of him stands an unamused Luo Binghe as remnants of the snowball Shen Jiu threw fell off his face.

Shen Jiu gasps for air as he tries to recompose himself, smoothing down his winter coat and attempting to rub away the flush on his cheeks. He clears his throat once before walking casually up to Luo Binghe.

"You've got some left." Shen Jiu tries not to snicker as he brushes off the last bits of snow from his husband's face, fingers teasingly swiping at Luo Binghe's chilled cheeks and reddened nose.

"Very sly of you to do it while my hands are occupied." Luo Binghe pouts, shifting the groceries in his arms to emphasize his point.

"What did I do?" Shen Jiu bats his eyes and innocently walks away.

Once he turns his back, a devious grin takes over his face, feeling a little satisfied at catching the little beast off guard.

Behind him, he hears their groceries rustle and thinks Luo Binghe must be planning some revenge of his own... But just as he's about to turn around to catch any foul play, there's a tug on the back of his clothes... followed by a spine-tingling chill against his skin.

Shen Jiu's blood-curdling scream is accompanied by Luo Binghe's delighted—and of course, triumphant—laughter.

"YOU LITTLE DEMON!!" Shen Jiu yells and lunges toward Luo Binghe, a handful of snow dangerously aimed at the other man's face.

"You started it!"

"Watch me end it too!!" Shen Jiu all but jumps on Luo Binghe's back, doing anything and everything to throw clumps of snow down his clothes.

He realizes it must look strange for two grown men to be wrestling like children in the snow, on the sidewalk of a main road in the middle of the day, but he doesn't care.

Getting strange looks was always a part of their relationship. If they must look, then they should see him happy.

And they should seethe with jealousy at his happiness.

"Ok ok! You win!" Luo Binghe sobs with a shiver.

Shen Jiu easily hops off his husband's back and dusts off his hands.

"So you do have a brain." Shen Jiu compliments.

"Yes yes." Luo Binghe agrees. "And now for your reward!"

Shen Jiu opens his mouth to ask what it is, but he's cut short when Luo Binghe plants a kiss on his cheek, lips warm and comforting and so very full of love.

When Luo Binghe pulls away and meets his eyes, an arrogant smile replaces his playful grin.

Shen Jiu rolls his eyes. He tugs at Luo Binghe's collar and brings him in for another kiss.

If people must stop and stare at them, they should, definitely and without fail, see that they are happy.

Chapter Text

December 15

Luo Binghe snuggles his nose against Shen Jiu's neck. He smells distinctly of hot chocolate with a hint of coffee, Shen Jiu's staple for the holidays.

"Hey! Stop fooling around!" Shen Jiu scolds, but he still adjusts his arms accordingly as Luo Binghe wiggles himself underneath them, hugging Shen Jiu's torso in an effort to squeeze together on the couch.

"You can spoil me a little bit, can't you?" Luo Binghe asks innocently with a bat of his long lashes.

Shen Jiu rolls his eyes and sets the spine of his book on top of Luo Binghe's head, ignoring him completely.

Luo Binghe continues to stare up at Shen Jiu, unbothered by his silent rejection. He stares and stares and stares...

Until Shen Jiu inevitably sighs in defeat.

"What do you want?"

Luo Binghe grins widely for a second before closing his eyes and tilting his chin upward, as if getting himself ready for a kiss.

In truth, Luo Binghe doesn't really expect Shen Jiu to play along, but that doesn't stop him from trying.

After a few seconds pass by, he thinks he's teased Shen Jiu enough and just barely opens his eyes when he feels warm lips against his own. Shen Jiu's lips are warm and taste a little bit like chocolate, but nothing tastes sweeter than Shen Jiu's indulgence. Luo Binghe inadvertently snaps his entire upper body back, face as brightly red as the ornaments on their Christmas tree.

"Shen Jiu, y-you just—you—!!" Luo Binghe fumbles with embarrassment and hides his face with his hands.

"What are you so embarrassed for?!" Shen Jiu snaps as he smacks Luo Binghe's shoulder with his book. He averts his eyes and mumbles something under his breath.

Luo Binghe peeks at him through the spaces between his fingers.

"What did you say?" Luo Binghe asks.

"Nothing. Go away." Shen Jiu huffs and reopens his book.

"Tell me!"

"No."

"You asked me, 'isn't it time you got used to me?'"

"If you know, then don't ask."

"Shen Jiu!" Luo Binghe steals the book away and tosses it over his shoulder in order to grasp Shen Jiu's hands. "There are 2 answers to that question"

Shen Jiu raises a brow, albeit warily.

"No, I will never get used to you being affectionate with me. I'll treasure every moment—every second that you do." Luo Binghe leans forward and bumps their foreheads together. "And the second answer is 'thank you.'"

Luo Binghe lets their heads rest against each other, taking the time to appreciate the moment.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to 'get used to you,' to get to know you, and..."

Luo Binghe smiles.

"To love you."

Chapter Text

December 16

'It'll be fun.' Luo Binghe told him.

'It's quality bonding time!' He assured.

'It'll be as easy as breathing!' He promised.

Lies. All of it lies!

Shen Jiu angrily throws down his flour-covered apron and abandons a plate of deformed, supposedly chocolate chip cookies. He stomps out of the kitchen, leaving Luo Binghe alone in the kitchen to mourn the pre-made cookies transformed into thick black chips.

Luo Binghe doesn't waste too much time on them and rushes after a fuming Shen Jiu.

"Wait wait!!" Luo Binghe laughs and cries as he pulls on Shen Jiu's sleeve. "Don't give up yet! It was my mistake! I forgot to set the timer!"

Shen Jiu frowns and waves Luo Binghe's hand away.

"You forgot, because I did." Shen Jiu corrects. "Having me in there is a disaster."

"It's not!"

Shen Jiu can see the uncertainty in Luo Binghe's eyes, and how can he blame him?

The moment Shen Jiu stepped into the kitchen, a jar of flour plopped onto his head without warning, a whole glass of milk spilled all over the first batch of pre-made cookies, and now he's burned the second batch! He knows Luo Binghe already tried to dummy proof their shared baking experience, but Shen Jiu unfortunately feels like he's being exorcised out of the kitchen.

"I'm not going back in there." He pouts and crosses his arms.

Shen Jiu looks away from Luo Binghe's face, knowing full well what kind of theatrics that man was doing with those big, beautiful eyes.

"No is no!!"

"But Shen Jiu, pleeeaassee??"

"No! We're out of cookies, anyhow."

"Then, you can just help me make a new batch!"

Shen Jiu stares at Luo Binghe with disbelief, wondering how he could think this could be easier for Shen Jiu than putting cookie dough on a tray and baking it.

"You just give me stuff!" Luo Binghe quickly corrects. "That's it. I'll do everything else!"

Shen Jiu hesitates.

"Please? I just want you there. That's all." Luo Binghe requests in a whisper, a little bit selfishly, a little bit vulnerable.

"...Fine."

Shen Jiu takes a seat at the kitchen table and watches as Luo Binghe scurries around. It would be easier for Luo Binghe to do everything on the kitchen counter, but he brings all of his materials to Shen Jiu with a smile, ingredients and appliances in his arms. He lays everything out, and once he's ready, he grins at Shen Jiu and asks for 2 eggs.

Shen Jiu spots the eggs less than an arm length away from Luo Binghe, but the boy is still beaming at him, waiting for Shen Jiu to fulfill his request.

Shen Jiu sighs, but it's a happy one.

In fact, he even gives Luo Binghe a small smile as he hands him the ingredients. Their fingertips brush with the exchange, a subtle playful gesture.

"Look, we're doing so well already!"

"Don't mock me! Or I'll really sabotage it!" Shen Jiu laughs, all the previous irritation dissipating.

But it's true.

They really are doing so well together.

Chapter Text

December 23

Shen Jiu walked into a clothing store. He walked out.

He walked into a gourmet chocolate shop. He walked out.

Then, a sports good store, a shoe store, and even a home goods store. And each time, he exited the store empty handed.

If there was anything Shen Jiu gained from all of these visits, it was an extra wrinkle on his forehead, another bout of frustration.

It wasn't that Shen Jiu couldn't think of a Christmas gift for Luo Binghe. His problem was that he couldn't decide on the BEST gift.

Clothes? Luo Binghe looked good in anything.

Chocolates? Luo Binghe could make better ones.

Sports gear? Luo Binghe did everything and had everything.

Shoes? Luo Binghe could suit any style.

Home goods? Well that toed a risky line.

A small appliance might suggest "a future together" or an emotionally distant "whatever" gift. And with Luo Binghe, Shen Jiu thought he could go either way.

So after a long, long day of visiting shop after shop, naming all of Luo Binghe's good qualities as he perused the shelves, Shen Jiu still came home empty handed.

"Welcome back!" Luo Binghe greeted from the kitchen, an apron tied to his waist and flour on his cheek. "Where have you been?"

Shen Jiu dumps himself onto a dining chair and sighs. "Don't ask."

He watches with interest as Luo Binghe shrugs and returns to his work, mixing and stirring several pots on the stove.

There is an infinite number of gifts Shen Jiu can think of that Luo Binghe would like. From his superficial desires to the most meaningful, Shen Jiu knew exactly would Luo Binghe would want.

The only problem is how much Shen Jiu is willing to give him.

So he never asks Luo Binghe what he wants for Christmas or even his birthday. Shen Jiu thinks carefully about what to give and what implications it might have.

With each occasion, he gives a present with more meaning (usually...) and a little bit more of himself. He wonders if Luo Binghe ever noticed.

"Shen Jiu," Luo Binghe half-cries as he plays a game of tetris with the items in the fridge, "help me..."

Normally, Shen Jiu would get up and help him rearrange their food back into the small fridge.

When he was single, it was never a problem. The most he would have stored were 2, maybe 3 meals, but once Luo Binghe moved in, food seemed to burst out from the seams.

"Shen Jiuuuu!!" Luo Binghe whines, but he's never asked for more than Shen Jiu's organization expertise.

And well... Maybe it's time. "Shall we get a new fridge?"

Luo Binghe stared at him, frozen with a plate of leftovers in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other.

"Should w-we? Us?"

"Mmhm."

"But it might take a while to pay it off."

"Mmhm." Shen Jiu chuckles softly as Luo Binghe wanders over to him, head hanging low and the tips of his ears red.

"Merry Christmas." Shen Jiu laughs as he wipes away a tear on Luo Binghe's cheek.

Chapter Text

December 24

"Cute." Luo Binghe nods his head in approval with his arms crossed, looking every bit commanding.

Pouting cutely in front of him is none other than his boyfriend in the Santa hat Luo Binghe forced on him, wearing nothing more than the Santa coat meant for Luo Binghe. The large coat hangs loose around Shen Jiu's shoulders, the sleeves so long his fingertips just barely peek out, and the white fur at the bottom almost seem gray compared to his snow white thighs.

"Stop smirking and give me my pants back." Shen Jiu hisses.

Luo Binghe hides the pants behind his back unapologetically.

"But it's cute." He defends.

"Cute, cute, cute." Shen Jiu rolls his eyes as he tries to reach around him. "Don't you know how to say anything else?"

"Not about you!" Luo Binghe laughs and dodges his hand.

"Stop mocking me and give me my pants!" Shen Jiu complains as they start playing a game of tag around the apartment. "Better yet, how about MY Christmas gift, you cheapskate?!"

Luo Binghe hops over the couch to evade Shen Jiu's lunge and grins.

"But it's right here!"

Shen Jiu looks under the tree and sees nothing except for the receipt of the fridge they bought the other day, a ribbon placed jokingly on top of the price.

"If you give me some lame excuse—"

Luo Binghe waves Shen Jiu over and says, "Look harder."

Luo Binghe steps aside when Shen Jiu approaches, all the while keeping the pants out of the way.

Skeptically, Shen Jiu peers around the branches and starts to push them out of the way. Then, hidden away in that hidden spot between the tree and the wall was a box.

"What's this?"

"The fun part of gifts is the surprise, Shen Jiu!" Luo Binghe teases.

"What are you trying to pull?" He asks when he weighs the present in his hand. "If this is empty and you tell me some BS about you being the present, I'm going to crush you."

Luo Binghe says nothing and just smiles as Shen Jiu starts to rip away the wrapping paper... Only to find another festively wrapped box.

He looks at Luo Binghe once, unamused.

Then sighs and tears the wrapping paper again... To find another beautifully wrapped box.

"LUO BINGHE."

"Keep going!!" Luo Binghe laughs, his whole body shaking with anticipation.

Aggravated, but completely fascinated about what might be at the end of the boxes, Shen Jiu continues to rip and tear and claw at the wrapping paper. He goes through several layers and several more boxes until all he’s left with is a small box, not even half the size of his palm.

Luo Binghe's palms start to sweat.

Shen Jiu must have realized by now, but he doesn't spare Luo Binghe a glance.

He just carefully pulls away the last layer, his fingers trembling, and his breath hitching when the velvet layer of the last small box starts to show. Shen Jiu slowly—as if he's nervous, as if he's afraid, as if he's excited—opens the box.

Glimmering beneath the flashing Christmas lights was a ring.

A silver band topped with a glittering emerald and several shining diamonds.

"You were right, Shen Jiu." Luo Binghe says as he falls to one knee.

Shen Jiu's expression is blank when he looks at Luo Binghe.

"I am the present. ...Will you marry me?" He asks with a half-joking, half-serious smirk.

Shen Jiu stands frozen for several seconds before he snaps out of it, probably realizing that Luo Binghe's cocky attitude at that moment was all a facade.

"Yes." He responds, but his expression makes him look surprised at his own reply.

"...Are you sure?" Luo Binghe sweats, almost mad at himself for asking.

Truly, he should have just rolled with it.

"Yes." Shen Jiu replies, confident this time. Determined. "I will."

Luo Binghe stands up and takes the ring, slipping it over Shen Jiu's fingers. He's amazed at himself for managing to do it so smoothly.

"Thank you." He says as he laces their fingers together.

"Shouldn't it be... 'I love you?'" Shen Jiu asks sheepishly.

Luo Binghe feels his chest burn and squeeze at the words.

"I love you."

"....And I love—LUO BINGHE. YOU." Shen Jiu screeches as Luo Binghe's hand slips beneath the Santa coat to grope at Shen Jiu's leg.

Luo Binghe looks at his offending hand, appalled.

He didn't think Shen Jiu would say it, so his hand had moved involuntarily.

"Your hand isn't at fault. It's you! YOU!" Shen Jiu repeatedly smacks his arm.

"I love you, Shen Jiu!" Luo Binghe cries as he lets himself get beat, but truthfully, he's not that disappointed, smiling with satisfaction each time that ring shimmers proudly on Shen Jiu's finger.

They have a whole lifetime of 'I love you's now.

Chapter Text

December 31

There's an old quilt underneath them, one from Luo Binghe's childhood home. It smells like the dishes they (painstakingly and exhaustingly) cooked today in preparation. They had eaten their dinner like starved wolves—with class, of course—a glass of wine in hand.

Shen Jiu wraps their shared blanket tighter around his shoulders and squeezes himself underneath Luo Binghe's arm as the evening breeze sends a shiver down his back.

"We should have made a fire." Luo Binghe says but makes no motion to get up.

"It's fine. You're good enough to be a handwarmer." Shen Jiu shrugs and looks up at the stars twinkling brightly above them.

"Are you saying I'm hot?"

Shen Jiu snorts and gives Luo Binghe's thigh a light slap for his antics. "What time is it?"

"11:59PM."

Shen Jiu feels his fingertips tingle with anticipation. It's not his first time watching fireworks, not even the first time with Luo Binghe, but it's the first time he feels ready to start a new year.

His eyes subconsciously fall to the ring on his finger, admiring its shine as if it were as bright as the twinkling city lights below the cliffside. While Shen Jiu's gaze lingered on the rock that represented a future he never imagined, a single linear light shot upward from the city, followed by that characteristic ringing sound.

For a moment, Shen Jiu thinks it's his heartbeat going haywire as he thought about the future, but he's proven wrong when several more explosions go off, lighting the sky with fantastic colors and designs.

"Happy New Year, Shen Jiu!"

Shen Jiu can't help but laugh when Luo Binghe pounces on him for a kiss, peppering several more on his cheek when Shen Jiu turns away with feigned annoyance.

"Happy New Year." Shen Jiu finally greets.

He's feeling a little shy. A little bit daring.

Because for the first time, Shen Jiu feels wholly loved and knows what love means.

"Happy new year, my husband." He says so softly it's nearly drowned out by the fireworks, but Luo Binghe hears it.

Even if he didn't hear it, he could read it on Shen Jiu's lips.

In a dramatic show, Luo Binghe clutches his heart and crouches forward.

"Are you trying to kill me before the wedding?" Luo Binghe complains.

"If you dare die before marrying me, I'll make sure you don't rest in peace."

Luo Binghe laughs and pulls Shen Jiu into a hug.

"This must be a sign this year will be good." Luo Binghe sighs.

"How so?"

"The year has just barely begun and you're already professing your love for me—OW."

"Don't get used to it, brat!" Shen Jiu rolls his eyes and stops pinching Luo Binghe's leg.

"Heh, of course not." Luo Binghe nods and pulls Shen Jiu closer to him. "How dare I get accustomed to my husband loving me."

"What husband?" Shen Jiu retorts, but he leans into Luo Binghe's chest to watch the fireworks.

Their banter continues until the show ends, but Shen Jiu has to agree.

This pleasant feeling must surely be a sign the coming year will be a good one.