Work Text:
“You're in my head more often than I want
More often than I wanna tell you
You're in my head more often than I want
More often than I want,”
From Talk to You by Ricky Montgomery
Luo Binghe was leaning against his throne, staring down at the demon envoy that asked for an audience with him. It wasn’t that they weren’t important–they were very important, a high class demon clan that controlled part of a trading route that’s crucial for the demon and human realm–but that didn’t mean that Binghe wanted to be here. He wanted to be back home where his Shizun was waiting for him. He was probably eating the pastries he left him with an eagerness that always becomes him. His Shizun doesn’t notice the way he eats with a passion but Binghe does. He noticed and made sure ever since he was a teen that he’ll make the best dishes for his Shizun. Even now Binghe can hear his Shizun say, “Thank you, Binghe,” with that soft smile that’s reserved only for him and the star in his eyes that only he could see.
Yes, everything that Shizun gave, Binghe welcomed with open arms.
“My lord?” asked the leader of the clan and Binghe snapped back to the present.
“Proceed,” he replied, irking that his daydream was interrupted.
It was going to be a long day.
When the hearing was done, Binghe was ready to fly back to the little cabin his Shizun was in. But, alas, when being the Demon Lord, it came with responsibilities he couldn’t ignore. One of them being paperwork. With a scowl that had the servants around him scurrying away, he made his way to his office where he shut the doors. Once he was by himself, he took out a green, jade pendant that reflected softly when the light hit it. It was a gift from Shizun for his birthday. When he opened it, he burst into tears when he felt the pulses of Shizun’s spiritual energy. A little part of him will always be by Binghe’s side. What a blessing it was! Touching the pendant delicately before putting it away, he sighed and made his way to the chair. Papers upon papers waited for him and, really, it was nothing he wasn’t used to.
When he was but a teen, he remembered doing paperwork for Shizun when he didn’t feel like doing it. It was something that young Binghe took great pride in and, thinking back on it now, he still does. But he would rather be at home–because home was wherever Shizun was–and cuddle against his husband than be here, alone and without him.
So began a long day where the sun slowly slid down past red mountains filled with toxic airs and exotic monsters. With a passion that’s not often seen by Lords when faced with paperwork, Binghe finished in record time. He was vibrating at this point. Half of his soul was yearning and crying to return back to Shizun’s side. He wanted to feel him pressed against him and kiss his head, his lips lingering there before kissing lower and lower until lips pressed against lips and, maybe, if Shizun was feeling it, they would then move to the bed to make love or–if Shizun was really feeling it–wild, wild fucking.
Either way, it’s a win for Binghe. As long as he is beside his husband, he’ll be content.
As he opened the doors, a messenger approached. Binghe sent him a warning glare but the messenger stayed put. It must be important then.
“M-My Lord…”
“Speak.”
The messenger jumped and nodded quickly. “T-The demon clan you saw this afternoon is asking for another audience–”
“Another time.”
“But–”
“Another. Time,” said Binghe through clenched teeth. “Do you not understand?”
“Yes, my Lord! I will tell them!” The messenger ran away and Binghe was satisfied that he was finally left alone.
That meant no more interruptions which meant that he could finally fly off to meet Shizun. It was a long day without his husband and he couldn’t wait to be in the same room as him again.
As he flew towards the small cabin hidden between trees, Binghe couldn’t help but to recall just this morning. He had to leave early if he had a chance to come back home before the start of the next day. Shizun was never a morning person so Binghe tried to get up and prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks before he had to leave. At some point while he was in the kitchen, however, he felt a pair of arms encircle his waist from behind. He was so focused on cooking that he didn’t hear his Shizun walk up behind him. But it was a pleasant surprise and one that Binghe leaned against. Only for a second. It caught up to him that the sun hadn't even risen and, yet, his husband was awake.
“Shizun!” yelped Binghe and tried to put down the dough he was kneading. But his hands were dirty and his husband only nuzzled between his shoulder blades.
“‘M awake…” mumbled Shizun and Binghe was ready to risk it all if only he could turn around to see his husband’s expression.
“Go back to sleep, Shizun. This lowly disciple apologizes for waking you.”
“Not lowly,” chided Shizun softly and finally let go.
Binghe quickly wiped his hands before turning around. Shizun’s hair was everywhere and he had a few drool stains on either side of his mouth. His sleeping robes were astray and he looked like he was a drop away from falling asleep.
He was beautiful.
“Shizun,” whispered Binghe and couldn’t help cupping his cheeks. His husband nuzzled into his palms and sighed. Binghe had the sudden urge to pull Shizun into him until they became one, a possessive urge to keep him to himself and that no one else could ever see his husband the way he was now.
But with years of practice, Binghe exhaled the urge and contented himself with pulling his Shizun in for a tight embrace. He quickly took the opportunity to carry his Shizun bridal style back to their bed. His husband mumbled in protest and Binghe felt a soft hit against his chest but he couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his face. He tucked Shizun back in and after making sure he was covered completely, kissed him before moving away. He didn’t get far though because Shizun immediately shot out his hand to grab his arm.
“Wait,” said Shizun with a bit more clarity. “I want to–stay up. I want to see Binghe go. I want…” Shizun tried blinking away the sleep but found with every blink, it grew heavier and heavier. And Binghe grew fonder and fonder.
His Shizun, the not-so morning person that he was, was trying to stay up for him. He felt tears well up and he blinked them back as much as he could.
“I’ll wake Shizun when I’m about to leave,” bargained Binghe, slowly extracting the tight hold his husband had on his arm. He kissed his knuckles before tucking the arm in too. “I’ll be back.”
Binghe finished the food with a spring in his step and woke his Shizun like promised. With a farewell kiss, Binghe started the day off well.
He blinked and could finally see the small cabin in sight.
He flew faster and once he was in front of the door, he dropped from his sword and sheathed it. He paused briefly to see his Shizun through the window. He looked like a painting. He was seated by the center table, reading a book. Tea steamed from his cup in front of him and his fan wasn’t too far away too. He put the book down and turned to look at the window. Binghe ducked, feeling shy that he was spying on his husband. But he was in there, waiting for him.
And Binghe knew how it’ll all play out:
He’ll open the door and Shizun will flash him that soft smile that’s reserved only for him.
Binghe will immediately cry out, “Shizun!” and embrace him as he cried because he dearly missed him.
Shizun will flush and scold but will soothe him with head pats and reassurances whispered in his ear. His Shizun was so shy.
They’ll finally kiss and Shizun will push him after a while and ask how work went while he grabbed his fan and hid behind it. It didn’t cover his burning ears so Binghe knew that his Shizun missed him as much as he missed him.
And they’ll talk well into the night and, maybe, make love as well.
Binghe couldn’t wait. So he opened the door and saw his Shizun immediately put his book down.
His Shizun smiled and said, “Binghe, welcome home.”
Binghe responded with, “Shizun, I’m home.”