Work Text:
Shen Qingqiu supposed he had first noticed it during Binghe’s disciple days.
Actually no, scratch that, he had definitely noticed it in a plethora of both official and fan art during his first life, but he’d always thought of it as an exaggeration.
Surely no one’s hair could be as voluminous and shiny as Luo Binghe’s? It wasn’t realistic, but Shen Qingqiu used to accept it as part of Luo Binghe’s character. It was another way to show the protagonist’s might and his ‘you’ll never get on my level’ aura. Even in the art Shen Qingqiu had seen (or at least the ones he had purchased and hung in his room), Luo Binghe’s hair flowed in a way that outshone all the wives standing next to him.
So yes, Shen Qingqiu had been aware of Luo Binghe’s somehow perfect wavy locks that trailed like a waterfall. But seeing the real thing was completely different.
Somehow, even when Binghe had appeared before him for the very first time, dirty and bruised from the mistreatment of both his peers and the previous Shen Qingqiu, his hair had looked outstanding in the most natural way.
Unrealistic! The boy had been bathing in the river, there’s no way anyone could have hair like this! Don’t get Shen Qingqiu started on the fact that proper hair products didn’t even exist here! People in modern times would have spat blood knowing Binghe had been using nothing but cold water and still had a better head of hair than the models in Pantene commercials.
But Binghe defied all forms of hair care routines, or so Shen Qingqiu had thought.
When Shen Qingqiu had finally brought Binghe to live with him, allowing the disciple access to a proper bath and hair oils, Shen Qingqiu had undergone the realization that yes, the boy’s hair could somehow get more perfect.
No frizz! Waves dispersed with the odd ringlet, pulled back in ponytails that had no bumps or crinks. Even the baby hairs that fell loose looked purposeful, complementing the boy’s handsome face perfectly.
The protagonist halo was a truly terrifying power.
The head pats Shen Qingqiu offered his disciple in his youth had been for encouragement and comfort, yes, but Shen Qingqiu would be lying if he said that he didn’t enjoy feeling the soft locks under his fingers. The way they would bounce back with every pat was almost as adorable as the white sheep himself.
He’d gotten used to the impossibly pure visage and hair of his disciple at that time though, and formed a purely platonic appreciation of it in Binghe’s youth.
Now though… haha well, Shen Qingqiu was in danger.
The threat of potential death and constant danger had temporarily put a stopper on Shen Qingqiu’s ability to properly admire his disciple’s overall abundance of good looks. But now that the catastrophe of the near merger of the human and demon realms was behind them, Shen Qingqiu had a lot more time to do just that.
To be clear, this was NOT a good thing!
The peace was good, yes. So were the days where he could laze around without reproach, or watch over Qing Jing without the guilt of subjecting the entire Sect to a blazing end.
Being married to Binghe was also good, more than just good actually, not that he said so aloud as much as he ought to.
Binghe himself though…
An absolute menace! Perfect people weren’t supposed to exist for a reason! Mainly because the hearts of everyone around them wouldn’t be able to take it! Shen Qingqiu included!
His husband was too sweet. And too considerate. And too attentive to his needs.
And too damn handsome!
The handsome part was an especially big problem for Shen Qingqiu. It’s not easy to keep composed all the time when you’re married to someone who’s built like a god with a face created to steal hearts.
Luckily Shen Qingqiu had a lot of practice hiding his internal panic, even when that panic was over how hot his husband was. Most days he could keep his dignity intact.
Today was not most days.
Binghe stood in the middle of a familiar scene. The demon lord hummed to himself as he stirred a pot in the kitchen of the Bamboo House, facing away from Shen Qingqiu. The smells wafting through the room were wonderful, as was the pleasant atmosphere of the late morning.
But Shen Qingqiu found himself forgetting the incredible aromas (an impossibility in itself), and instead found himself transfixed with the luxuriant hair that fell against Binghe’s back. It looked soft and silken, but had that playful quality that came with the way the waves curved around each other.
Shen Qingqiu wasn’t even sure why he found himself so taken in by them, given how common this sight was for him. Although most days, with Binghe’s attention so firmly on him, Shen Qingqiu didn’t allow himself to openly admire Binghe without the risk of embarrassing himself.
Now though, with Binghe somehow concentrating enough not to notice his entrance, Shen Qingqiu allowed himself to look.
He didn’t want to overthink why he found Binghe’s hair so mesmerizing, which was fortunate because Shen Qingqiu was happy not to think at all in this moment. It was enough just to let his eyes sweep over the swaying of his husband’s hair as he cooked.
Apparently not thinking was a mistake though, as it had allowed his stupid body to move on autopilot in an effort to spite him.
He had not noticed himself drifting closer to Binghe’s back, and noticed even less the way he was reaching forward to take the end of Binghe’s hair in his fingers.
Realizing himself, Shen Qingqiu pulled his hand back, but not at all in a stealthy manner.
“Shizun?” Binghe turned around, looking surprised.
Shen Qingqiu jolted at the address.
Oh no, had Binghe caught him staring? It wasn’t his fault! Who wouldn’t stare when Binghe looked like that? Well… Binghe didn’t look all that different than usual, but still!
“Ah, apologies if I startled you Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu managed with a strained voice.
Binghe simply smiled warmly.
“There is no need for Shizun to apologize, this disciple is always happy to see him,” Binghe replied.
See! Too sweet and kind! How is Shen Qingqiu expected to function under these conditions?
“Well, this master will do better to announce himself next time,” Shen Qingqiu said.
At least Binghe hadn’t seemed to notice Shen Qingqiu’s weird unconscious attempt at fondling his hair.
“Was there something Shizun wanted though? This Binghe can’t help but notice that Shizun approached this one as if he was in need of something.”
Goddamnit.
Shen Qingqiu coughed once to cover the wince he felt overtake his features.
“No, no, this one-- I am fine, Binghe can resume his cooking,” Shen Qingqiu tried.
“Shizun knows he can ask anything of this disciple,” Binghe pushed politely.
Somehow, hey Binghe, I’ve realized I’ve always had a weird fixation on your hair and it’s somehow become too powerful for me to control, didn’t sound all that great. Was it honest? Sure. Was it cool? Definitely not. Was it creepy beyond measure? One hundred percent!
“Binghe need not worry about this husband,” Shen Qingqiu replied, throwing the word ‘husband’ around for good measure.
“Husband is sure?” Binghe asked again, eyes wide and pleading.
Shit shit shit. Shen Qingqiu needed to think of something or Binghe wasn’t going to let it go.
“This husband…” Shen Qingqiu started, pausing for a moment to steel himself. “...would like a good morning kiss.”
There! He said it! Mental pat on the back for you Shen Qingqiu! A little loss of face was better than losing all of it!
Binghe’s eyes shone like Shen Qingqiu had presented him with all the stars in the sky. A bit overdramatic, considering they had kissed many times before.
“As many as Shizun desires!” Binghe agreed enthusiastically.
Then he leaned down and captured Shen Qingqiu’s lips in an eager yet soft kiss. It wasn’t overly hurried despite Binghe’s enthusiasm, just the pleasant slide of his and Binghe’s lips together. It was… really nice. Maybe Shen Qingqiu should ask for more kisses in the morning. Binghe already gave him a peck before getting out of bed each morning, but this was nice too.
Shen Qingqiu even managed to wrap a lock of Binghe’s hair around his finger while Binghe was distracted. It was just as soft as ever, like the fluffiest cloud. He felt a little flustered at his own behaviour, but as long as Binghe didn’t notice he was fine.
They pulled away not long after, Shen Qingqiu discreetly removing his finger from the little strand of hair as they did so.
The smile Binghe wore could kill a weaker man. Hell, if Shen Qingqiu was still in his old sickly body, his heart probably would have given out.
“This one will allow Binghe to return to his work,” Shen Qingqiu announced before he could get pulled back in by the loving gaze of his husband.
Binghe hummed happily, licking his lips a little.
“Of course Shizun. This one will bring breakfast once it is ready,” Binghe agreed easily.
Shen Qingqiu nodded, turning to head to the table in the other room. He felt a mixture of relief and giddiness from the whole thing, as well as some shame over being such a weirdo.
How did this hair thing even happen? He’d never paid attention to anyone else’s hair like this before. And even when Binghe was a disciple, he’d never felt like this about it.
Well, when in doubt, blame Airplane!
Anyways, he’d managed to avoid Binghe finding out this time. Now he just needed to get over this weird fixation. He could get used to Binghe’s hair, at least enough to not let himself be swayed by it. A single moment of weakness didn’t mean anything.
This type of thing definitely wouldn’t happen again, of this Shen Qingqiu was sure.
The knowing look that Luo Binghe wore while Shen Qingqiu wasn’t looking begged to differ.
***
“Good work everyone. This master hopes his disciples have benefited from this exercise,” Shen Qingqiu said to the group of disciples trailing after him.
“Yes Shizun,” tired voices answered, some punctuated with a yawn.
The disciples were muddy and spotting bruises, dragging their feet behind them with effort. Shen Qingqiu hadn’t really been expecting any less though.
Joint Peak training was fairly new, only a few years old now, but Shen Qingqiu knew generally what to expect out of them. With most peaks, the Qing Jing disciples carried on as usual post training. They usually had a spring in their step after training with Qiong Ding, or seemed chipper when returning from An Ding (perhaps out of gratitude for how they didn’t have to manage budgets and schedules).
But without fail, Shen Qingqiu’s disciples were always dead tired after training with Bai Zhan. It wasn’t that his disciples were getting their asses beat, in fact they did quite well. It was only that the persisting rivalry (though not the violent affair it used to be) pushed both sides to fight to their absolute limits.
Even Shen Qingqiu didn’t always escape cleanly, usually getting dragged into his own spar with Liu Qingge.
Overall it was good practice, even if it roughed up the scholar’s peak.
Shen Qingqiu was excited for a bath and some warm food.
“You may all take the rest of the day for self-study,” Shen Qingqiu dismissed his disciples, who looked relieved and scurried off with a plethora of thank yous.
Shen Qingqiu dusted off his robes as much as he could before making his way to the clearing near his home.
“Shizun!” a familiar voice called.
Shen Qingqiu turned around to see his husband bounding toward him happily, innocent face looking delighted and hair--
Wait.
He had to do a double take, but by the time he did Binghe had already reached him, enveloping him in an encompassing embrace. Shen Qingqiu was too frozen to think about the fact that they were out in the open.
“Shizun, you’re back early!” Binghe cheered, releasing Shen Qingqiu.
“Uh,” was all Shen Qingqiu managed, staring dumbly.
“Hmm?” Binghe tilted his head. “Is Shizun okay?”
No, Binghe, your husband is not okay. Not when you’re inadvertently trying to kill him!
It’d only been two days since Shen Qingqiu had vowed he’d get over this… thing he had (not a kink), and already he was failing miserably.
But when he’d declared that he wouldn’t be weird about this thing (not a kink), he hadn’t expected this!
Because Luo Binghe’s hair was not loosely flowing down his back, nor was it in the ponytail he often wore.
An elaborate braid hung over Binghe’s shoulder, with some loose strands forming curls that fell softly against Binghe’s cheeks. The dark locks looked like an artform, with the hair so smoothly laced together that Shen Qingqiu could hardly look away. There were even a couple flowers woven into the braid.
Binghe, you can’t go full Rapunzle level of magic hair and expect Shen Qingqiu to be okay!
“Shizun?” Binghe repeated, wearing an innocent visage. “Is Shizun worn out from the joint training session?”
Shen Qingqiu swallowed, mouth dry and mind tangled in knots.
“This master is fine,” Shen Qingqiu rasped, not sounding believable in the slightest.
Why the hell was he acting like this? He’d seen braids before! Lots of braids! He’d even braided his sister’s hair multiple times.
Nothing weird ever happened then, so why was Shen Qingqiu short circuiting now?
Was it because the braid made Binghe’s shoulders somehow look more broad? Or because even though the braid didn’t tame the forest of waves and curls, it held them just enough to display how perfect they were.
Shen Qingqiu really wanted to touch and maybe even tug--
No.
This wasn’t a kink, and Shen Qingqiu wasn’t going to horny jail after seeing Binghe in a braid.
“Shizun seems quite agitated though? Is he sure nothing happened?” Binghe asked.
“Binghe can rest assured that nothing unusual happened at Bai Zhan,” Shen Qingqiu reassured, wanting very much to avoid Binghe getting jealous over nothing.
Surprisingly though, Binghe didn’t seem to be in any sort of jealous stupor. In fact his face looked pleasantly amused for some reason.
“Oh? Then is there something else that is on Shizun’s mind?”
Shen Qingqiu paled a tad.
“Binghe is mistaken. He must be the tired one after getting his hair done in such a manner,” Shen Qingqiu replied.
Binghe’s smile widened in a way that Shen Qingqiu did not like.
“This disciple wasn’t sure Shizun would notice his hair. Ning-shijie wished to practice, so this one had her help. Does… does Shizun find it pleasing?” Binghe batted his eyelashes coquettishly.
Shen Qingqiu was a blind fool! He’d walked right into a landmine, and couldn’t run without risking it exploding.
“Why is my disciple always fishing for compliments? He knows very well how he looks,” Shen Qingqiu scoffed in a last ditch attempt to crawl out of this hole he’d found himself in.
“Does Shizun not like it then?” Binghe asked through sad, almost teary eyes.
“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu tried to sound reproachful.
“This disciple will take out the braid then,” Binghe said with a wobble of his lip.
There really was no escape from this landmine.
Even if Shen Qingqiu chose to stay silent, he knew the effects of removing a braid like that. Binghe’s hair would somehow come out looking even more gorgeous and Shen Qingqiu would have no choice but to throw himself in the quiet pool.
Also it would be a shame to take out the braid now that Binghe was already wearing it…
“There is no need for that Binghe. This teacher thinks the braid looks nice, and you wouldn’t want to waste all of Ning Yingying’s effort would you?”
The dejected pout on Binghe’s face instantly cleared, replaced by a wide smile.
“This Binghe is so glad Shizun likes it! This one always wants to look his best for his beautiful husband!” Binghe celebrated, pulling Shen Qingqiu back in close, only for Shen Qingqiu to block the motion with a fan.
Nope, nope, Shen Qingqiu was a self-proclaimed master of self-control, and he had no intention of losing this title now. Unlike his husband, he could keep his hands to himself!
“Apologies Binghe, this one is dirty and requires a bath before anything else.”
Or maybe a cold shower if this keeps up…
NO! THIS WASN’T A KINK!
Shen Qingqiu was scurrying away before Binghe could do something as terrible as offering to bathe together (which sounded kind of nice actually, if it didn’t pose the chance of Shen Qingqiu exposing his not-hair-kink).
He needed some time for self-reflection. Maybe some meditation. Was seclusion due to ‘fixating on your husband’s perfect hair’ a thing?
Probably not, but Shen Qingqiu could always be the first?
***
A week went by where Shen Qingqiu carried out his duties with as little distraction as possible, handling both his disciples and paperwork with the effort required.
It helped that Binghe had been forced back to the Demon Realm to oversee a few things. Well, it didn’t help in terms of Shen Qingqiu missing his husband and pouting when he returned home to an empty house and bed at night, but it helped in terms of clearing his traitorous mind somewhat.
Emphasis on the somewhat.
No perfect solution had been found for Shen Qingqiu’s little problem, and hanging around the Bamboo House inevitably brought Shen Qingqiu’s thoughts back to his husband and his husband’s distracting features. Especially in the evening, which was even more disconcerting…
So Shen Qingqiu had taken to wandering around the mountain in the evenings.
To enjoy nature of course! Shen Qingqiu wasn’t a slave to his desires or to the painfully beautiful pictures his mind conjured up of a certain disciple! It was just a good chance to enjoy some alone time!
Today he’d even decided to wander off the mountain for a change of pace.
The air was cool, with a tempered wind making itself known every now and then, and a smell so distinctly autumn Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but lower his fan and inhale.
The lighting of the booths and stalls brought their own warmth even in the distinctly crisp outdoors. The people who walked by were busy, but not always busy enough to allow Shen Qingqiu to walk by without blatant stares in his direction. He didn’t even mind too much, knowing that an immortal master was bound to stand out even with his travelling clothes on.
The path through the village at the base of the mountain was rocky but well kept. Carriages passed every now and then, but slow enough not to disrupt the hustle and bustle of the early evening.
Shen Qingqiu loved Cang Qiong Mountain, and loved his own peak, but sometimes it was nice to just escape for a bit. He’d travelled around his fair share, but usually in a rush or in the thralls of danger. On outings like this, he could take his time and take in the world outside of their secluded Sect.
Sometimes being an immortal cultivator was kind of like being a shut-in, since both ended up slightly out of touch with the lives of others. Except Shen Qingqiu was still surrounded by people in his Sect versus the posters that he would rant to in his old apartment. And all the exercise and outdoors and having a job.
Okay, being an immortal cultivator was nothing like being a shut-in, but it was still nice to leave the mountain and see what life was like as a mortal in this world.
It was also good from a clearing your head perspective.
The street food was quaint, the chattering buzzed, and Shen Qingqiu enjoyed the scenery. He bought a few trinkets (no, not in a ‘stress shopping’ kind of way), before moving onto a little book stall.
There was a wide selection considering the size of the stall. Shen Qingqiu’s eyes drifted over some fantasy epics and historical texts before landing on the stack of romance novels positioned on the corner of the table. There were quite a few outwardly displayed.
A basic love triangle set-up with a teary heroine? Standard, basic.
Star-crossed lovers from opposing clans? Too reminiscent of a certain overdone Shakespearean play.
A forbidden romance between a student and teacher. Hits too close to home.
An especially trashy looking description of a pirate lord with the power to win over even the sirens of the depths did snag Shen Qingqiu’s attention. The pirate looked water swept, with long hair tied in a messy bun and a busty mermaid clutching at his arm. It looked like the trashiest of trash, exactly what Shen Qingqiu wanted to read and tear apart.
“Is Immortal Master finding everything alright?” the stall owner asked politely, looking intently at the books Shen Qingqiu was surveying.
And apparently the stall owner wasn’t the only one. A small group had gathered around to see exactly which book had caught his attention. Shen Qingqiu flushed in embarrassment. Shit, he had a reputation to uphold, he couldn’t outright purchase something like this.
Quickly grabbing a nearby poetry book, Shen Qingqiu handed it to the stall owner.
“This master will purchase this one,” Shen Qingqiu declared with his head held high.
The stall owner bowed quickly and packaged the book in exchange for the money Shen Qingqiu handed their way.
Out of the corner of Shen Qingqiu’s eye, he noticed that the small crowd from earlier was no longer paying him much mind, instead finding something behind Shen Qingqiu much more interesting.
The distraction gave enough time to quickly grab the terrible pirate romance and pass it to the store owner.
“This one as well, please,” Shen Qingqiu said in a hushed voice, face dignified and neutral behind his fan.
The stall owner only smiled and accepted the payment before passing the book back to Shen Qingqiu.
Mission successful!
His peak lord dignity was unstained and he could rip through this physical piece of literary garbage at his leisure.
Shen Qingqiu turned around, happy with his purchase, in the direction that had grabbed the crowd’s attention earlier.
And ah, Shen Qingqiu was no longer surprised at what could have so quickly drawn the focus of the villagers.
Luo Binghe stood casually in front of a stall carrying a variety of hair crowns and such, gazing intently at the selection. The crowd appeared frozen from Binghe’s presence alone, staring back and forth between Binghe and himself as if they were celestial beings.
It was surprising and unsurprising to see Binghe here. Surprising in that he was already finished with his demonic emperor duties, and unsurprising in that of course Binghe would find out where Shen Qingqiu had gone and come to meet him here in town.
Shen Qingqiu spotted the exact moment Binghe looked up and saw him. His husband’s face morphed from a neutral indifference to open joy. If Binghe had a tail it would surely be wagging.
Binghe walked with purpose toward Shen Qingqiu, paying no attention to anyone who stood in his way.
Shen Qingqiu met him half-way, partly exasperated by his one-track minded husband, but mostly fond.
“Binghe could not wait for me on Qing Jing peak, I see,” Shen Qingqiu greeted with a wave of his fan.
“Shizun! It’s already been too long, this disciple couldn’t bring himself to wait alone at home,” Binghe exclaimed. “This Binghe missed Shizun very much.”
Oh Binghe, truly a stickier husband did not exist in this or any other world. If they did, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t imagine it.
“Well, since Binghe is here, he might as well accompany this master,” Shen Qingqiu tapped Binghe’s head with his fan.
“This disciple will accompany Shizun then!” Binghe chirped, reaching out to hold Shen Qingqiu’s hand.
Shen Qingqiu blushed a little at the blatant PDA, but decided he was feeling generous and didn’t bat his disciple’s grabby hand away. Only, Shen Qingqiu briefly forgot that he’d been holding something in his hand. Something he very much did not want anyone to see him with. Something that he’d been too distracted to throw into his qiankun pouch upon purchase.
“Binghe wait--”
Shen Qingqiu scrambled to hide the embarrassing romance novel, but it was too late.
“Shizun has had a fruitful shopping trip I see,” Binghe remarked in a casual way that made this somehow worse.
“This-- this is simply a gift for your Shang-shishu, since he kept bugging me to pick something up for him,” Shen Qingqiu attempted.
That remark somehow made things worse instead of better.
“Shizun got such a gift for Shang-shishu?” Binghe frowned with a pout, eyeing where Shen Qingqiu had hidden the book.
“No need to dwell on it, Binghe. Your Shang-shishu has a proclivity for literature starring characters who are all good looks and no substance.” Wow, nice self-burn Shen Qingqiu. “Come, let us stay for some food before we return home.”
Binghe agreed, albeit with childish clinginess, and a mutter of something like ‘ good looks, hmm? ’ before they headed into a small restaurant to eat. The atmosphere inside was pleasant and allowed Shen Qingqiu not to think about almost getting outed for reading what could only be classified as the least scholarly book known to man.
The two were ushered to their seats quickly and courteously. They ordered just as quickly, allowing time to get settled in the establishment. Binghe recounted his time in the Demon Realm, with Shen Qingqiu pushing for more details whenever his husband attempted to gloss over something dangerous happening. Binghe didn’t even whine too much about not being the one to cook for Shen Qingqiu when the food did come.
However, despite the lack of complaints, as soon as the food did arrive, Binghe got to his feet.
“Binghe?” Shen Qingqiu asked, unsure if perhaps Binghe was about to throw hands with the chef. “Is something wrong?”
Binghe didn’t look particularly upset though, and said nothing when the server left to continue their other duties.
“Nothing is wrong, Shizun,” Binghe said with no explanation.
Shen Qingqiu was going to ask another question when Binghe took his hair in hand and began to twist it loosely above his head. Shen Qingqiu’s mouth went dry as he watched, transfixed, as Binghe turned his silky curls around themselves until they formed a bun atop his head, tying it together loosely with a red ribbon.
The bun, with little ringlets sticking out the sides, looked messy and not at all like the style Binghe would wear in official meetings, or even like the casual but still clean perfection Binghe achieved when he wore his hair down. But even so, it had a casual intimacy to it that made Shen Qingqiu feel like he should be hiding his husband from prying eyes.
This wasn’t safe! Binghe’s face was now completely exposed. The broken hearts were going to be inconsolable!
Shen Qingqiu was also feeling inconsolable, but that was because he was quickly losing ways to justify to himself that he didn’t have a thing for Binghe’s hair.
“Shizun, is your food okay? You haven’t touched it yet?” Binghe asked, having sat back down.
Why did the bun have to look so fluffy? Shen Qingqiu felt like he was in physical pain stopping himself from reaching across the table to pat it.
“Shizun?”
Shen Qingqiu shook himself from his stupor.
“Ah, Binghe, this master merely distracted himself for a moment,” Shen Qingqiu said.
Binghe looked like a menace, wearing a teasing smile like he knew exactly what he was doing. But that couldn’t be right. Shen Qingqiu had been so discreet with his reactions! Binghe couldn’t have figured him out.
“What was it that distracted Shizun?” Binghe asked, spooning his food slowly.
The best way to hide something was to keep it in plain sight! Shen Qingqiu just had to stay neutral about it.
“This master had simply never seen Binghe in a bun before,” Shen Qingqiu said, trying to sound as dismissive as possible before taking a large bite of his food.
Binghe’s intent smile only widened, activating a form of fight or flight in Shen Qingqiu’s system.
“This disciple apologizes for interrupting Shizun’s meal then,” Binghe said. “Although if Shizun likes it, he can always tell this lowly one. This disciple always wishes to look his best for Shizun.”
Shen Qingqiu did not choke on his food, but he did choke on his own spit, which was probably worse.
“In fact,” Binghe continued. “If Shizun finds a particular part of this husband especially pleasing, this husband will allow Shizun to do anything he desires.”
“Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu exclaimed in horror. “We are in public!”
Shen Qingqiu spied around for any onlookers. Most other patrons were looking very purposefully away from them, meaning they were definitely eavesdropping.
Shen Qingqiu covered his face with his hands and groaned.
“This one did not mention anything inappropriate, but of course Shizun is permitted to do anything of that nature as well,” Binghe said, sounding excited of all things.
"Luo Binghe!" Shen Qingqiu was on the verge of threatening Binghe with a night on the couch if he didn't stop.
"Apologies Shizun," Binghe said, but he wasn't even pretending to feel bad.
This was a nightmare. Forget the romance novel, Binghe would ruin Shen Qingqiu’s face before his trash taste in literature could.
Thankfully, the rest of the meal was much more civilized. Yes, Shen Qingqiu may have spent the whole time stealing glances at his husband when Binghe wasn’t looking, but they weren’t kicked out for inappropriate behavior, which was more than Shen Qingqiu could say for all their outings.
But really, who would have thought the phrase ‘my eyes are up here’ would be converted to ‘my eyes are down here’ in Shen Qingqiu’s case.
Binghe seemed to be positively glowing throughout the meal though. The happiness radiating off him was practically physically manifested where he was sitting. Maybe he just really liked the food?
The ride back to Qing Jing after they’d finished eating was quick, and Shen Qingqiu managed not to fall off his sword due to distraction by bun.
When they reached the Bamboo House, Shen Qingqiu unloaded the small collection of items he’d bought while Binghe went to prepare some bedtime tea. He placed most of them on his shelves, or hid future gifts in drawers.
It was only when he pulled out the books he’d purchased that he noticed something particular.
The styling of the pirate’s bun on the cover of the romance novel looked almost identical to how Binghe had worn his bun…
...well, Binghe had worn it better.
***
The next few weeks were a nightmare.
Every other day, Binghe adorned a new hair style or simply played with his hair in increasingly flirty ways. Right in front of Shen Qingqiu’s salad!
It was maddening!
Luo Binghe was more merciless than Shen Qingqiu had ever seen him. Sorry hordes of monsters and demons who had fallen at Binghe’s hand, clearly Shen Qingqiu had to deal with worse. At least the demons and monsters just died and weren’t constantly taunted at the most inopportune times.
Tea time with Yue Qingyuan. Binghe showed up with his hair half done up, making the curliest parts of his hair fall everywhere, just begging to be played with.
Guqin lessons with disciples. Binghe twirled a loose piece of hair in his finger while watching Shen Qingqiu teach.
Attending the ceremony to accept new disciples into Cang Qiong. Binghe’s hair glittered with jade jewels he had interlaced in it.
Torment!
Shen Qingqiu could no longer even risk patting Binghe’s head in public without becoming a blushing mess.
It all came to a head one night when they’d taken leave from Cang Qiong, returning to their private cottage to get away from both of their duties for a while. Unfortunately, away from duties meant pure concentrated doses of Luo Binghe. But this time Binghe chose a new direction with his torture.
“Will husband please comb this one’s hair?” Binghe asked while the two were preparing for bed.
The question was innocent enough, and something Shen Qingqiu had done various times when Binghe had been a disciple. It wasn’t really until now that Shen Qingqiu realized he hadn’t done it since they’d married. Well, he’d done it for Bing-ge by mistake that one time, but that didn’t count.
So really, he owed Binghe this much, especially with how much Binghe helped with his own hair.
...and Shen Qingqiu really wanted an excuse to touch Binghe’s hair…
He briefly considered the possibility that he might make a fool of himself if he showed too much enthusiasm, but he’d been making a fool of himself for the last month so what more was there to lose?
“Shizun does not have to if he doesn’t want to,” Binghe followed up sweetly.
Shen Qingqiu sat himself on the bed and gestured to the spot in front of him.
“Don’t be silly Binghe, come over here,” Shen Qingqiu said, watching his husband collect the comb and various oils from the nearby bathroom and return to sit himself between Shen Qingqiu’s legs.
Binghe was practically vibrating as he handed the collected supplies to Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Qingqiu was also internally vibrating with Binghe’s full head of waves and curls spread out before him. But he was determined not to make things weird.
“Tell me if I tug too hard,” Shen Qingqiu said softly, oh so gently maneuvering the hair in front of him.
Ahhh it was so soft! It didn’t even need brushing!
He inhaled steadily, smoothly petting the top of Binghe’s head like he’d been wanting to for weeks. (He may or may not have petted it a couple times when Binghe had fallen asleep, but now he didn’t have to worry about waking his husband!) The fact that Binghe couldn’t see his face made things easier and allowed Shen Qingqiu to continue.
He let his hand run through Binghe’s hair tentatively, feeling around for knots. His hand started at Binghe’s scalp and waded down to the tips of the silky locks. It was soothing just to let his fingers trail through Binghe’s hair, stopping and loosening the knots he found, particularly at the ends. In fact it might be the most pleasant thing Shen Qingqiu had done in a long time.
Shen Qingqiu felt reluctant to even use the comb, happy to finally be able to touch his husband’s hair without shame. He vaguely registered the happy hums he made as he continued, full of contentment.
Why had Shen Qingqiu waited so long to do this? Well, mostly because he wouldn’t be caught dead asking, but still.
“Mmm,” Binghe hummed when Shen Qingqiu unconsciously scratched lightly at his scalp.
At this point, there was no hair brushing to be found. No oils to make a brush go through easier, no clips to hold back hair that had already been detangled, no comb to… you know, comb Binghe’s hair. Instead it felt purely self-indulgent. Scratching a terrible itch that had been plaguing Shen Qingqiu for so long.
“Shizun?” Binghe said, voice soft, as if scared to startle Shen Qingqiu from his trance.
“Hmm?” Shen Qingqiu replied, not stopping his methodical fingers as they ran through layers and layers of soft strands.
“Shizun is happy?” Binghe asked.
Shen Qingqiu frowned a little. Was it not obvious that he was? Well… sometimes Binghe did need the reassurance.
“Yes, this master is very happy,” Shen Qingqiu confirmed, twisting a particularly perfect ringlet around his index finger.
“This one’s hair is pleasing to Shizun?”
Geez Binghe, if only he knew just how much this stupid mane had been driving him insane the past month. Still, he didn’t need Binghe crying during such a relaxing evening.
“Binghe takes very good care of his hair. This master does not mind brushing it.”
“And does Shizun like this Binghe’s hair a certain way?”
Shen Qingqiu took a new section of hair to begin working through, too content to be annoyed by the persistent questioning.
“Binghe looks fine in any style he chooses,” Shen Qingqiu answered, so enthralled with his task that he didn’t even chastise Binghe’s regular game of fishing for compliments.
Binghe preened at the words.
“Shizun is sure?” Binghe asked.
“Why would this master lie?”
Shen Qingqiu took some strands and began mindlessly braiding them together.
“Well sometimes Shizun didn’t seem to want to look at this disciple when his hair was styled,” Binghe explained, a tilt to his voice that Shen Qingqiu would have been suspicious of any other day.
Shen Qingqiu tugged a little at the strands forming the braid, preventing as many lumps as he could.
“That is only because this master likes Binghe’s hair so much, that he risks making a fool of himself by staring too long.”
There was a beat of silence where Shen Qingqiu neared the completion of the little braid, before the world came to a halt.
Had Shen Qingqiu just…
With wide eyes, Shen Qingqiu startled himself badly enough to fall backwards onto the bed when his words registered.
Witchcraft! Treachery! His husband was a cunning weasel! Using his own hair as a magic truth serum and lowering Shen Qingqiu’s guard just to get him to admit something embarrassing like that! The power of the protagonist halo has gone too far!
But wait… did that mean Binghe had known this whole time about Shen Qingqiu’s hair… kink?
The devious disciple himself had stood up and was now leaning over Shen Qingqiu looking a mixture of pleased and awed.
“Shizun! This disciple is so happy that Shizun likes it so much,” Binghe said with a wide smile, and red cheeks. “But Shizun should know he could never make a fool of himself. Shizun is always perfect.”
Shen Qingqiu wanted to die. Let the mattress swallow him up.
“Binghe you--” Shen Qingqiu started, blushing furiously. “--it is not proper to tease your master like this! This one simply admires his husband’s hair, is that so strange?”
Yes Binghe, this Shen Qingqiu only likes your hair a perfectly normal amount!
Binghe’s smile didn’t falter, in fact he just looked more pleased, as if he saw right through Shen Qingqiu’s ruse.
Placing his hands on either side of Shen Qingqiu’s head, Binghe leaned further over him, his perfect curls forming a little curtain all around Shen Qingqiu. Little wisps of hair even kissed Shen Qingqiu’s cheeks in a way he found both alluring and insulting.
“Don’t worry Shizun, this humble disciple will avoid flustering you in public,” Binghe agreed.
Well that’s a relief.
“Shizun looks much too adorable to allow anyone else to see him react to this lowly one’s hair any longer. This husband will only model his hair stylings privately for Shizun from now on,” Binghe continued, emphasizing his point with a kiss to the corner of Shen Qingqiu’s mouth.
Shen Qingqiu felt the mortifying realization of Binghe’s future plans wash over him.
“This master does not remember teaching his disciple to misuse his power like this,” Shen Qingqiu muttered with what was definitely not a pout.
“But Shizun did teach this one to use all resources available to him,” Binghe replied with a fond smile. “And it’s okay, because Shizun likes this husband’s hair, yes?”
Godammit. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t rebuff something so clearly true. He’d been found out.
“Yes,” Shen Qingqiu admitted. “Yes, this husband likes it very much.”
Luo Binghe’s smile lost its teasing quality and became one of pure joy and love. Ah, maybe Shen Qingqiu should have just said something earlier if it was going to put such a look on his husband’s face.
Binghe closed the distance between their faces and captured Shen Qingqiu’s lips in a surprisingly gentle motion. The kissing was relaxed with no rush and no pressure. Shen Qingqiu reciprocated easily, letting Binghe lead, but adjusting himself for comfort.
After a minute or two, Binghe pulled back slightly, but to where Shen Qingqiu could still feel his husband’s breath.
“Does husband wish to finish brushing this one’s hair?” Binghe asked, the teasing tone back and a chuckle in his breath. “Or is there something else husband wishes to do?”
Scratch what Shen Qingqiu said before, Binghe finding out was horrible. Shen Qingqiu wasn’t going to stop hearing about this for months, if Shen Qingqiu hasn’t shaved Binghe’s hair off in retaliation by then.
Who was he kidding? Shaving Binghe’s hair would be a crime deserving of death, and something Shen Qingqiu had no plan of entertaining (even if Binghe could pull off any haircut).
Well, if Shen Qingqiu couldn’t escape his thing for Binghe’s hair, he might as well accept it.
In a single motion, Shen Qingqiu swept his arms up and clutched the back of Binghe’s head, pulling him down into another kiss. Binghe made a little startled noise, but smiled against Shen Qingqiu’s lips.
Shen Qingqiu smiled as well, especially as he wrung those curls around his fingers and clutched at the silky strands.
Binghe’s hair really was too OP if even Shen Qingqiu was so easily affected by it. But Shen Qingqiu didn’t have anything bad to say about it right now, too caught up in the lips on his.
In the morning, when Binghe’s hair would somehow look perfect while Shen Qingqiu was afflicted with insufferable bedhead…
Well, Shen Qingqiu would probably have some choice words then.