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Shang Qinghua cursed himself and the System almost every day for making this universe so horrible. Today was one of those days. He could admit to himself that most of it was his fault- Cucumber-bro wouldn’t let him forget it! After all, he was the writer of this universe. He was the one who decided that the Peak Lord’s heavily relied on him and his peak without having any appreciation for him. He was the one who made most people in this universe canon fodders with an IQ of below 40.
He admitted that all of that was his own stupid fault. However, he was NOT the one that decided that all peak lords and some of the disciples were vampires. That was all on the system for taking a long-forgotten idea for a Halloween special and incorporating it into this universe.
So here he was severely overworked, underappreciated and even worse HUNGRY FOR BLOOD. The system definitely hated him and wanted him to suffer horribly. Not only was there a fire on An Ding Peak and he had to run around trying to reassess the damage and make sure everything would be prepared, but his wayward son decided now would be the best time to obtain the territory of the Eastern Mountain Demons. This basically meant that it now was His king’s duty to take care of the land which means it now was Shang Qinghua’s duty to take care of all the administrative tasks.
Even worse since all of his disciples are currently swamped with responsibilities as well it was decided that the Peak Lord’s would have to get their own blood until things were finally settled. This was fine for the other Peak Lords who could send their own disciples- Cucumber-Bro would get his protagonist son to give him blood, but for him, it would mean that he would have to go down the mountains and get blood.
So that’s how he found himself locked in his office on An Ding Peak while very hungry and stressed. He was surrounded by piles of documents and letters. His right hand was shaking with hurt and could barely move his fingers. His back ached so much. The characters on the document were dancing in front of his eyes. He could feel the pressure building on his brain. He was so, so tired. But he couldn’t rest yet. If he rested, he would be behind and then his martial siblings would be on his ass. Well, more than they usually are.
If he could just finish everything that was necessary for the Sect repairs, he would be able to get out of his office and get the blood he needed. The paperwork regarding the Eastern territories was not as necessary. His king had already said that he could take as long with finishing it up as he needed. If only his Martial siblings could be as forgiving. His body shivered when he thought back to the furious glances of both Liu Qingge and Qi Qingqi.
Qinghua whimpered. Everything hurt so badly. Tears started to pile in his eyes. He had to leave. Fuck his judgemental and overbearing martial siblings, they can wait a few hours longer for the Sect to be completely up and running again. If he died now due to starvation, it would take a lot longer for things to be fine again!
He stood up, chamber started spinning. He could barely stand up straight and started swaying on the spot. Black spots flashed in and out his sight and the ache in his throat and his fangs burned even harsher.
Shit shit shit
His legs finally gave out under him. Qinghua cursed himself as he laid on the floor. He had waited too long to get food and now his body was too weak to get it himself. No sound could escape his mouth either. Too weak. Too drained. He was gonna die. No one would find his body. Not until they were too mad to keep waiting for him. He wouldn’t even be able to see his King again. Tears jumped out of his eyes. He was gonna die. His throat was constricted. He was gonna die.
“My king,’’ he managed to weakly whisper as life slipped out of him.
I am gonna die.
-----
The first thing he noticed was that he woke up. Joy coursed through him as the realization dawned on him. He was not dead! He hadn’t died in an even less cool way than he died in his first life.
The second realization was that he was not on An Ding Peak. The dark blue and white colour palette of his peak was completely missing. Instead, dark green and white were prevalent in the room. He was in the Ice demon castle! He tried to sit up but his body was still heavy with exhaustion and hunger. He could barely lift his shoulders from his bed until the pain forced him to lay back on the bed
He couldn’t remember anything after he had fallen to the ground. Much less how he had ended up here. There was only one way how he could have come all the way to the Ice Demon castle in the state he was in. “My King..,” he whispered.
“Qinghua’’ Qinghua’s head went to his left so fast that he could feel the muscles in his neck scream in agony. There on his left, his king was sitting on a chair with a scroll in his hands. His blue eyes looking over his face like he’s trying to find any pain or discomfort on Qinghua’s face. ‘’You’re awake.”
Shang Qinghua thought that he could hear a tinge of concern in his King’s voice. Guilt gnawed at his stomach. Of course, his king would be concerned about him. What would happen to all the paperwork if he was gone? There sure weren’t many demons both competent and trustworthy enough to deal with everything.
“Were you the one who brought me back?” His King stood up and helped him sit up. Qinghua couldn’t help but flinch when Mobei Jun’s cold hands touched his skin. He felt like he was hit by a trunk. His voice sounded groggy and the back of his throat felt sorer with each word.
“Yes. You called my name,’’ He frowned. “What happened, this King found you on the floor.’’
“This worthless servant apologizes for being a bother for my king. I had been busy the past few days so I haven’t had any blood. This servant should have taken better care of himself.’’
Mobei-jun nodded, his hand slowly getting the hair out of Qinghua’s hair. ‘’Qinghua should have taken better care of himself indeed. However, it was no bother for this King to attend to him. Qinghua’s health is important.’’
Qinghua could feel his cheeks flushing “A-ah. This servant thanks his king for taking care of him and staying with him until he’s awake. But this King can go back to his other duties. I only need some blood and I will be completely fine again. S-see I am already feeling fine. ’’
He scrambled to get out of his bed. But as soon he put his feet on the ground, he felt dizzy. Mobei Jun’s hands encircled his body and helped him to lay back on his back. “Yes, I see you’re doing amazing.’’ He couldn’t see his eyes, but he knew his King as rolling his eyes at him. He cursed Mobei Jun in his head.
“My healer has checked on you. He said that the lack of blood caused Qinghua’s exhaustion. He recommends you go on bed rest and not do any work until you get his clearance.” Mobei Jun said before throwing him a pointed look. “This King will make sure that you will rest.”
“What! I have so much still to do! The plans for the new storage room hasn’t been finished yet! A-and I still haven’t gotten around to ordering new supplies for the other peaks! And Liu-Shidi is going to be upset if they don’t get new training dummies soon too. Maybe your healer is wrong. The last time I drunk was the day after the storage burned down. It’s not even been that long since I have drunk!’’
“Qinghua, it’s been a week since you left for the human realm”
At that Qinghua groaned and felt himself inflate a bit. He pressed his hands into his face “I guess I have been so distracted with work,” he mumbled to himself rubbing his face. “But still! There’s so much to do. And I haven’t even gotten to prepare everything for the Eastern Mountain clan’s arrival so my King shouldn’t have to take care of me either. A servant would be fine o-or I could go back to An Ding for a bit’’
Mobei Jun pushed him back on his bed with ease. “Qinghua needs to only think of getting better, this King will take care of everything else.”
"B-but"
"This King can manage his kingdom without Qinghua's assistance just fine." He could feel a sting in his chest. “I have done so before.”
Anger suddenly welled up in his stomach climbing up until the words spilt out. "Then maybe this servant should go live at An Ding then and stay out of his King’s way."
He could see his king stiffen and he instantly regretted his words. Ah, he really shouldn’t have said that to his King who had massive abandonment issues. Even though his feelings were hurt and he temporarily felt useless and like he was unwanted. He knows how sensitive his King had turned out to be.
“I apologize. This servant shouldn’t have snapped at my king.’’ He couldn’t look at him in that eyes. How could he snap at his king after he had saved him from starving to death? He should grovel and thigh grab after he’s gotten better. “I am just thirsty. This servant apologizes for his rudeness.”
“Qinghua,” his King’s sigh made his body shiver. ah, he fucked up so bad. He should have been more careful with his words. Suddenly he felt arms encircling around his waist. Before he could react, his king pulled him into his lap. “Qinghua can drink from this King.”
Eeeeeh, my King what are you doing?!!!"
“Consort Shen said that it would be easier for you to drink from the neck. Especially because you’ve been weakened by the lack of food.”
Cucumber-bro you liar!!!!! Wait until I get my hands on you the next time my protagonist son is gone!!!
‘’I-I could also just get blood from a donor.”
‘’This king has sent out a servant to get blood for you. However, they haven’t returned yet.” Mobei Jun momentarily looked away. “This King was planning to go himself, however, he didn’t want Qinghua to wake up alone.”
“I-it’s really fine my King I can just wait for a bit.”
“But Qinghua just said his head is hurting. It is better to give him blood now so he doesn’t collapse again.” He hesitated for a little bit. “This king… I do not wish for Qinghua to be hurt.”
“Fine,” He tried- and failed- to keep his voice as even as he could. “Just push me off if it hurts or you’re getting dizzy. I will only take enough to keep me conscious until the servant has arrived.”
He repositioned himself enough- far enough from the danger zone- aka the zone around Mobei Jun’s pillar-, but close enough that he was still able to comfortably reach his neck. He leaned forward so his lips touch the cold and pale skin of his lord. He tried to focus on the task himself. Any mistake could result in his King getting injured. But it felt impossible when his nose was filled with a nostalgic smell that strangely reminded him of the cosy mornings of long past winter. He couldn’t focus when he could feel his King’s tensed muscles and hear his heartbeat become louder and faster to the point he thought that he might be hearing his own.
Slowly, he licked the side of his neck. He inhaled quickly. “I will bite you now my king. Are you still willing?”
“Qinghua, this King is still willing.” his voice started close and very hoarse.
“Okay, then I will bite you now. Again you can push me off or maybe it’s better to first slap my shoulder to ensure I won’t hurt you.”
“Just do it.”
“Please promise me that you will do it.” He looked him straight into his eyes. “I won’t start unless you do.”
“I promise.”
He finally presses his fangs to his neck. Closing his eyes, he sank them into his king's skin. He only had to wait a second before blood started to well out of the wound. The familiar taste of metal flooded his mouth. But there was something else mixed with it. It tasted sweet, a little bit like lollipops. His blood was warmer than Qinghua had expected as well. He could feel Mobei Jun’s fingers press harder into his hips. However, he didn’t push him away. His heartbeat was beating fast. But it was not the only one. There was a second heartbeat beating as fast and irregular as his own.
They stayed like that for a little longer. Mobei Jun’s ragged breaths filling up the room. After a few minutes, Shang Qinghua disentangled himself from Mobei Jun. He gave a few licks to the wound so his spit could close up his wounds.
"Do you feel alright, my king?" Shang Qinghua whispered after a while. “I didn’t take too much.”
"I do." His King raised his hand to brush away the blood from his lips. “Do you feel better?”
Shang Qinghua nodded before looking over his king’s pale face. His heartbeat still hadn’t calmed down. "Are you sure? Your heartbeat is going way too fast. It should have calmed down by now.”
His King paused, looking at his face intensely to the point that he had to look away. He really couldn’t handle eye contact with any person. Let alone his dream man. “My heartbeat did not fasten, because of the bite, Shang Qinghua.” Qinghua suddenly jumped up in his lap. Mobei Jun had leaned over. “It beat faster because of you.”
“Huh” How does that even make sense, my king ?!!! His heartbeat was faster because of him, but not because of his bite!!!!!! The only reason for Shang Qinghua to make anyone’s heartbeat harder is out of fear that he would accidentally tear out his throat. Except if someone liked him. But that would be ridiculous! Right?????
Shang Qinghua gulped. “My king, if you don’t mind me asking. D-do you like me?’’
“I do.”
“Liking as in romantic liking?” He couldn’t believe his ears.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you’re not confused?”
Mobei Jun looked incredulous. It would have been funny in any other situation where Shang Qinghua’s worldview wasn’t shaken up. “Do you think this King has no understanding of his own feelings?”
“No-” He shook his head. “It just feels unbelievable. You’re you and I am me. It makes no sense for you to like me in any sense, especially romantically.”
“Qinghua is the closest person to me and one of the few people this King would trust with his life. How could this King not have fallen in love with him.” He caressed his cheek softly.
“B-but…” He tried to stammer out, but he couldn’t
“If Qinghua has no feelings for this king he should just say so instead of making excuses.”
“What are you talking about. Of course, I have feelings for you. You’re the only person in this world that tries to take care of me. Or wants to have conversations with me. A-and even though you don’t speak a lot, I do enjoy our conversations together. You’re my dream man too!!!”
Mobei Jun smiled and Shang Qinghua’s poor heart almost burst. “If Qinghua indeed returns my feelings then there’s no problem right.”
“B-but. I don’t want you to regret anything.”
“My only regrets are the times I have let you down.” He flushed even more. “This King has fallen for you. He’s sure of that and he wants to try to make this all work. Do you want so as well?”
He nodded weakly and buried his face into Mobei Jun’s chest. “But-” He was interrupted by his own yawn.
“Qinghua, let's go to sleep. We can talk tomorrow.” Mobei Jun stood up carrying Qinghua in his arms. And oh if Shang Qinghua hadn’t already fallen in love with him, he would now. Mobei Jun put him on his bed and laid down with him.
They laid together in bed. His bed Mobei Jun’s calming scent slowly lulled him to sleep. Shang Qinghua cursed himself and the System a lot almost every day….. but not right now.